BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Grand Jury has ruled that a U.S. Marine will not be indicted on homicide charges in connection with the death of an Emerson College student.
Lance Corporal Samuel London was last listed as a Marine Corps reservist based in Fort Devens, Mass. He was potentially facing homicide charges, after the death of sophomore student Daniel Hollis of Mendon, Mass.
Hollis' family said the 19-year-old had been leaving a house party in Allston on September 28, 2019, when he and his friends were confronted by another group of young men. "Words were exchanged, pushing/shoving started, and in the scuffle, we believe Dan was hit and subsequently hit his head on cement/bricks as he fell," the family said.
On October 2, four days after that fight, Emerson College announced Hollis had died "surrounded by his loving family." His death certificate listed 'homicide' as the manner of death.
(Daniel Hollis/Caring.org)
On October 7, police identified a Marine as the suspect in Hollis' death. The Marine Corps released a statement saying it was "deeply saddened to learn that an off-base incident allegedly involving one of our Marines has led to the passing of a man in the Boston community." At the time, Lance Corporal London was on base in California ahead of a planned deployment.
By November, a Marine Corps spokesperson said named London as the suspect and said he was "in the process of being separated from the Corps to face potential charges in the death." Suffolk County District Attorney's Office impaneled a Grand Jury in Boston to look at the evidence, and decide whether or not to bring charges against London.
On February 28, 2020 Suffolk DA Rachel Rollins said the Grand Jury had reached a decision not to indict London in the death of Hollis. "The investigation that preceded the Grand Jury's vote was incredibly thorough and painstakingly detailed," Rollins said. "The Grand Jury has spoken and we respect its findings, however difficult they are to hear."
Rollins added that she was proud of the officials who led the Grand Jury proceedings, and the victim witness advocate who supported the Hollis family throughout. Rollins also said her office will continue to provide support for Hollis' loves ones and they process and grieve his death.
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