Today, Ellen Knemeyer, 64, received a three-year state prison sentence after pleading no contest to elder abuse charges. This conviction comes as a result of a July 2021 incident where Knemeyer attacked her 69-year-old roommate, leaving the victim in serious condition, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Ellen Knemeyer (64) sentenced to 3 yrs state prison following her no contest plea to elder abuse, stemming from her Jul '21 attack on her roommate at the time, a 69 yr old female. Another roommate called 911 & Knemeyer was arrested by @PacificaPolice after a 24 hour stand off. pic.twitter.com/m2WYCBSYJi
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) September 27, 2023
The attack occurred on July 9, 2021, when Pacifica Police Department responded to a disturbance between roommates involving a knife. Upon arrival, officers found the victim with three stab wounds to her chest as reported in a Pacifica City press release. Knemeyer, who was 62 at the time, retreated into her house and barricaded herself, leading to a 28-hour standoff with police. Crisis negotiators were called to the scene, and after consulting with a mental health clinician, they successfully convinced Knemeyer to surrender peacefully without further incident.
Originally facing charges of attempted murder, false imprisonment with violence, and elder abuse causing harm or death, the eventual outcome of three years in state prison appears a lesser sentence. While the precise details of the plea bargain are not made public, it is evident that the prosecution and defense reached some form of agreement regarding the charges and sentencing.
In the aftermath of the incident, the victim was hospitalized in serious condition but was expected to survive. Ellen Knemeyer, now aged 64, will serve her time in state prison after her no contest plea to elder abuse.
