Georgia man sentenced to life plus 95 years for raping, beating wife

Michael Ellicott, a Peachtree City, GA man, was sentenced to life in prison plus 95 years today after his conviction of 13 out of 15 counts regarding the attack on his wife of 23 years in their basement theater last January 20.

Fayette County Judge Paschal English stared at the 48 year old defendant in the packed courtroom as he gave his denunciation.

"I have observed you during this trial, and I don't think it ever sunk in with you. You laughed, you smiled, you cut up with people. I don't believe you ever thought for one second that you would be convicted."

Judge English also said that the defendant's conduct besmirched the Air Force, where Michael Ellicott flew an F-15 fighter jet, and Delta Air Lines, where he worked before being charged.

The jurors, after 11 hours of deliberation, returned a guilty verdict at 4:40 PM local time Friday, May 1 of guilty of five counts of aggravated battery (family violence), four counts of aggravated assault (family violence), two counts of aggravated sodomy, one count of false imprisonment and one count of rape.

Michael Ellicott testified Wednesday [April 29], denying that he ever struck or raped his wife. His testimony came after the jury was shown disturbing photos of his wife Pamela’s injuries. The photos were taken at the hospital where she was treated after police were called to their home Jan. 20.

Shown graphic images of deep bruises on various parts of Pamela Ellicott’s body, Michael Ellicott resolutely said that he did not cause any of them. He also contended that while he did not strike his wife with drumsticks as alleged, she was striking herself with the drumsticks during the incident.

The victim, Pamela Ellicott, stated the the beatings started around a year and a half before the January 20th attack in the couple’s basement. Pam did not seek divorce because she still loved her husband “It wasn’t until the last year that I stayed out of fear,” she testified Tuesday, April 28.

Mrs. Ellicott testified that the January 20, 2008 beating was interrupted by a phone call from a woman her husband identified as his mistress. After he took the call, she grabbed a cordless phone and called 911 from their neighbor’s home.

Besides the January 20 attack, the victim testified her husband broke both of her wrists, and one time, his blows were meant for her head, but she deflected it. The victim also told of anal sexual assaults she endured, leading to buttock injuries which required surgery, making it painful to walk.

Michael Ellicott testified that adultery on his part and on his wife’s part played a role in friction between the couple.

Michael Ellicott said several days before his arrest he had noticed red marks on his wife and encouraged her to see a psychiatrist who had previously helped her on the self-abuse matter.
A co-worker at Delta Airlines whom Michael Ellicott admitted to having an affair with testified that in December 2007 he had told her about Pamela Ellicott’s self-abuse problem.

Michael Ellicott admitted that he hoped to divorce his wife but prosecutor Warren Sellers reminded him that in his answer to Pamela Ellicott’s divorce suit he is asking for the marriage to remain intact.

“I still do love Pam. I understand the situation but I’m not happy with it,” Michael Ellicott said. “I don’t want to go to jail for 400 years sir. I thought she would come to her senses.”

Before the sentencing, but after the vercict, Judge English made a lenghty statement about the nature of the crimes committed against the victim.

However, I have listened to more cases than I can count, and I can say that these are the worst injuries I have ever observed on someone who lived. I can't understand why a man who was 6-3, 270 pounds would deliberately break the arms of a frail woman who was the mother of his two children. Then try to tell us those wounds were self inflicted.

It begs all logic, and it underscores the individual I saw trying to hide behind such an unbelievable story. I've seen torture at the hands of an enemy. But I have never seen it and hope to never see it again, from someone who confesses to love someone. What a charade.

English also spoke of Ellicott's use of drumsticks to beat his wife."The drumsticks are irony," he said. "They represented to a young woman horrific pain from beatings that no one can imagine. On the other hand, a different drum beat began, because that drumbeat represents the death of a monster, and that's you Mr. Ellicott," English said.

"You were provided the best of best, with a pristine military career, a job most would love to have, friends through Delta. But you turned your back on your family, friends, employer, and your military and country. How can someone who fought for the freedom of others, so willingly jeopordize those freedoms at the end of two wooden drum sticks?""You have changed a lot of lives, none for the better. This woman may never live a normal life again."

After the sentencing, the victim praised the judge, the DA's office, and the Peachtree City Police, but said that she and her kids "have a long road ahead of them." she also said that she would like to one day help other victims.

I think the judge said it all. But I know this is not the end of this. We have a long road ahead of us, but my kids and I are strong and we will get through this. Now is not time for me to walk away, it's time for me to step up to the plate and help anyone else that I can help. They protected me and my children. Their conviction to do the right thing never waivered nor stopped. The work they put into this was amazing. The process worked this time.”