Suspect Pleads Guilty In Former Detroit Cop's Slaying
DENVER (WWJ/AP) - A man accused of killing a Denver police officer who used to be a Detroit cop has accepted a plea deal with prosecutors.
Rollin Oliver, 22, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and could get up to 16 years in prison. Prosecutors dropped a charge of first-degree murder with extreme indifference for human life in exchange for Oliver's guilty plea. He's due back in court for sentencing on June 21.
Oliver was accused of fatally shooting officer Celena Hollis, 32, when he fired into a crowd at a jazz concert in City Park last June. His attorneys said he was being pursued by gang members when he drew his weapon and fired.
Investigators say Hollis, who was in uniform and off-duty, was shot in the head while rushing to break up a fight. She likely died instantly.
Hollis was a single mother raising a daughter and had been a Detroit police officer before she joined the Denver Police Department in 2005. She also served as president of the Denver Police Department Black Police Officers Organization.
A fellow Denver officer said Hollis' parents and sister lived in Denver, and Hollis was happy to come to the city, which she considered safer than Detroit.
A 5-kilometer run and walk was held at City Park last Sunday in Hollis' memory. Her family created a community outreach organization called the Celena Hollis Foundation.
MORE: Former Detroit Cop Killed In Denver
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