Ashton Kutcher Testifies Towards Suspected Serial Killer Accused of Murdering Lady He Dated

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Ashton Kutcher appeared at a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday to testify in opposition to a suspected serial killer charged with murdering three ladies, together with 22-year-old Ashley Ellerin, who was courting the actor on the time.

Michael Gargiulo, who has been dubbed the “Hollywood Ripper,” has pleaded not responsible to prices of homicide and an attempted-murder stemming from assaults within the Los Angeles space between 2001 and 2008, the 12 months he was arrested after DNA proof linked him to one of many killings and a non-fatal assault. His trial started earlier this month and prosecutors are in search of the loss of life penalty.

Ellerin, a part-time stripper and style scholar, was discovered useless in 2001 in her Hollywood Hills residence. The evening earlier than, Kutcher had stopped to select her up for a date.

The actor testified that he met Ellerin about two months earlier than the killing and that she beforehand dated his good friend. He mentioned he had attended a housewarming occasion at her residence about two weeks earlier than her homicide, and she or he instructed him there that she was single. He mentioned they made plans to exit on an informal date of dinner and drinks. On the day of the date, he mentioned he referred to as her to let her know he was going to be late as a result of he can be attending a Grammy Awards viewing occasion. He mentioned he referred to as Ellerin virtually an hour later and left a voicemail saying he was nonetheless working late. He mentioned she referred to as him again from a good friend’s telephone and instructed him there was no drawback. 

Kutcher mentioned he later referred to as Ellerin to say he was on his manner over to her place however she didn’t reply. He mentioned he headed to his home, positioned just a few blocks away, took his canine out and tried calling her once more, and she or he once more didn’t decide up. He mentioned he was “attempting to take her on a date and did not wish to appear over keen,” so he did not attempt to name an excessive amount of initially. He mentioned he did make his away to her residence, and assumed she was residence as a result of the lights had been on. He mentioned she didn’t reply the door, and that he seemed by means of a window and seen it was messy inside, however did not assume a lot of it as a result of he knew she had just lately moved in and had the housewarming occasion. He mentioned he then seen what he thought had been crimson wine stains on a carpeted stairway. He mentioned he then left. 

Her roommate found her physique the next morning. Prosecutors say Gargiulo stabbed Ellerin 47 instances.

Kutcher’s testimony on Wednesday marked his first public feedback about Ellerin’s killing.

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Kutcher additionally testified that he remembered “freaking out” about having fingerprints on her door knob after the homicide and that he instructed the police the whole lot he knew and was not concerned within the killing. Gargiulo’s legal professional joked, “Don’t be concerned you are not a suspect.” Ashton laughed and mentioned thanks, and ended his testimony. He took a deep breath and walked out of the courtroom. 

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For 15 years, Gargiulo, 43, is believed to have stalked younger ladies who lived close to him and allegedly typically used his job as an air-conditioning repairman to realize entry into their properties in a bid to later assault them.

Along with Ellerin, he’s accused of fatally stabbing 32-year-old Maria Bruno, who was discovered useless in her condo in El Monte, California in 2005 along with her breasts had reduce off. He’s additionally suspected of stabbing one other lady in her Santa Monica condo in 2008. She survived.

When requested concerning the California assaults, Gargiulo instructed CBS’ 48 Hours in 2011, “I am 100 p.c harmless.”

Gargiulo can be anticipated to face trial over the 1993 deadly stabbing of 18-year-old Tricia Pacaccio on the doorstep of her household’s residence close to Chicago.

Gargiulo’s legal professional Daniel Nardoni had beforehand instructed the Los Angeles jury that his consumer denies killing all three ladies.