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Judge denies force-feeding convicted murderer on hunger strike

A judge has denied force-feeding Joseph Merlino, a man who has been on a hunger strike for more than two months and who was convicted of fatally poisoning his ex-girlfriend with cyanide on Valentine's Day last year.

Joseph Merlino, 30, was convicted of fatally poisoning his ex-girlfriend on Valentine's Day 2017. He has been on a hunger strike since April 2018 and has lost more than 40 pounds.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- A judge has denied that a man who was sentenced to life for murdering his ex-girlfriend should be force-fed in prison even on his hunger strike.

Joseph Merlino was convicted last Friday of killing 35-year-old Ellie Tran with a needle filled with cyanide on Valentine's Day back in 2017. Jurors reached the verdict after 90 minutes of deliberations.

READ MORE: Man convicted of poisoning ex sentenced to life

Merlino, 30, has been on a hunger strike since April (more than two months) and has lost more than 40 pounds.

A judge said Tuesday that he doesn't believe he has the authority to make the decision to force-feed Merlino.

Judge denies force feeding for Joseph Merlino. Sheriff says "He will live on his own, he could die on his own." I'll have more at 4 on #13NewsNow
— Ali Weatherton 13News Now (@13AliWeatherton) June 26, 2018

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