Mickayla Miller
Editor in Chief

February 8, 2015 is a day which will forever go down as one of the worst in Millersville’s history.

That was the day that Gregorio Orrestieta, then 20, killed freshman Karlie Hall. A fight in the dorm rooms about spilled noodles, mixed with intoxication in both parties, led to the tragic and untimely death of a girl with her entire life ahead of her.

Orrestieta was sentenced a few months later with third-degree murder, which meant that there was malice, but no premeditation. Hall’s cause of death was strangulation and multiple traumatic injuries. Lancaster County Judge Donald Totaro sentenced Orrostieta for the maximum sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison for the murder of Hall. 

In 2018, Orrostieta was ordered back to court for resentencing, as his defense asked for a reconsideration of the final verdict because of a procedural error during the original trial.

According to Orrostieta’s court appeal docket, his defense asked for the reconsideration of an involuntary manslaughter charge, instead of a third-degree murder charge. His retrial was March 30.

Judge Totaro blocked the appeal, saying that Orrostieta was still a danger to society. The original sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison was upheld.

While his resentencing does little to heal the Millersville community, students have taken it upon themselves to remember Hall as she was.

Karlie’s Angels, a group run by Millersville’s Center for Health and Prevention, brings awareness to dating violence on campus. Each year, they cover the campus in red flags, reminding people to consider the signs of dating abuse or violence.

Millersville’s website offers an entire page about dating violence, and what to do if you, or someone you know, is going through dating violence or assault. There are various avenues to get help, even if you don’t know where to turn.

For more information, visit https://www.millersville.edu/sexualviolence/