LANCASTER, Pa. — A Kennett Square man will serve at least 20 years in prison for killing a Millersville University student last year in a campus dormitory. A Lancaster County jury convicted 21-year-old Gregorio Orrostieta in May of third-degree murder regarding the Feb. 8, 2015, beating and strangulation of 18-year-old Karlie Hall. On Wednesday, County Judge Donald Totaro ordered Orrostieta serve 20 to 40 years in state prison for killing his girlfriend during a dispute inside Bard Hall dormitory. It was the maximum sentence allowed by law on a third-degree murder conviction.
“I am very pleased with the judge’s ruling today. I wanted the maximum sentence for Karlie, obviously. He needed to be held accountable for what he did to her. Also, equally as important, is keeping him off the streets,” said Jeanette Hall, Karlie’s Mother after the sentencing.
Millersville University police Chief Pete Anders said, after the sentencing, that Orrostieta has never expressed remorse for killing Karlie. Anders said the crime has changed the culture on campus and raised awareness of dating violence.
“I believe that Karlie’s sisters, friends and those that are on campus, that have been impacted by this loss, will very likely change the culture that surrounds dating violence. With that, I believe Karlie is going to continue to have a real impact,” Anders said.
At trial, the jury listened to seven days of testimony before deciding the case. Among those who testified were:
– A forensic pathologist who performed Hall’s autopsy and testified she was beaten numerous times in numerous areas and strangled, likely by bare hands.
– MU students, who testified to hearing noises and sounds of a struggle coming from Hall’s dorm room around the time of her death.
– Acquaintances of the couple who testified to their tumultuous relationship.
– A detective who analyzed Orrostieta’s cellphone and found he watched hip-hop videos and browsed Hall’s Facebook page prior to calling 9-1-1.
Assistant District Attorneys Susan Ellison and Christopher Sarno prosecuted.
Millersville University police Sgt. Howard Bauman filed charges.
