VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A man found guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend ended a months-long hunger strike this week.
A spokesperson for the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office confirmed Joseph Merlino III ended the strike by eating dinner on July 4.
A Jury convicted Merlino of first-degree murder on June 22 in the death of Ellie Tran — who was injected with cyanide outside of her home on Valentine’s Day 2017. The jury recommended life in prison for Merlino.
Merlino started a hunger strike earlier this year, saying in an interview in June that he felt like he was treated as guilty until proven innocent.
A judge denied a petition from the sheriff’s office for Merlino to be force-fed. Sheriff Ken Stolle said in a June 26 hearing Merlino told one of his staff members that he was “ready to negotiate” with officials to end his hunger strike, at one point insisting that he be served fried chicken.
Merlino is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26.
