MV man could get life in attempted homicide

Mountain View resident Reginald Ellis was arrested late last week for allegedly trying to choke his girlfriend to death in November, and authorities now say he faces a life sentence if found guilty on several counts including attempted murder.

Police say Ellis, 22, choked his 26-year-old girlfriend as a fight between the couple escalated at about 11 p.m. Nov. 7 in their apartment on the 2200 block of Latham Street. A relative of the victim stepped in to break up the fight, and Ellis fled before police arrived. The victim had minor injuries — abrasions on her body and neck — and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

MVPD crime prevention Officer Steve McCoy said Ellis “self surrendered” last Saturday, Dec. 19 after a phone conversation with police in which he arranged to have himself arrested on a street corner in East Palo Alto.

This week, District Attorney’s office spokesperson Amy Cornell confirmed that Ellis faces life in prison for attempted murder and six other charges. In all, Ellis is charged with attempted murder; violation of a protective order resulting in physical injury; corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant; terrorist threats; domestic violence; brandishing a deadly weapon; and removing, damaging or obstructing use of wireless telephone used to notify or summon law enforcement or other public safety agency.