Roy Ellis will be sentenced Dec. 19 in death of Amber Harris.
the Associated Press | Posted: Friday, November 7, 2008 6:00 pm
A judge has set a Dec. 19 sentencing hearing for Roy Ellis Jr., who was convicted in April of murdering a 12-year-old Omaha girl.
Ellis is eligible for the death penalty in Amber Harris’ death. However, a three-judge panel must decide whether to impose it when sentencing him for first-degree murder.
Ellis refused to appear in court Friday for a competency hearing.
Still, Douglas County District Judge Gregory Schatz said he had no choice but to schedule a sentencing hearing.
Amber’s remains were found in May 2006 in Hummel Park in far northeast Omaha. She had been missing since Nov. 29, 2005, when she was seen getting off a school bus on her way home from school.
An autopsy indicated Amber died of blunt force trauma.