Ionia murderer gets 30-50 years in escape

IONIA – A man serving life for his role in four murders was sentenced Tuesday to 30 to 50 years for escaping from a Michigan prison and kidnapping a woman during his attempted getaway.

Michael Elliot, 41, pleaded guilty to escape and no contest to kidnapping and carjacking charges Sept. 18.

Ionia County Circuit Judge David Hoort sentenced him Tuesday to 30-50 years for carjacking, 23 ½-50 years for kidnapping and 2-5 years for escape.

Elliot escaped Feb. 2 from Ionia Correctional Facility and stole a Jeep with a woman inside. She managed to escape when they stopped for gas about 100 miles away and called 911. Police then chased and captured Elliot on Feb 3. in LaPorte County, Indiana.

Elliot was already serving life in prison without the possibility of parole, the mandatory penalty in Michigan for first-degree murder. He was convicted for taking part in the 1993 killing of four people. A co-defendant admitted pulling the trigger, and Elliot has repeatedly said he was innocent.