U.S. Marine Corps prosecutors have filed charges, including murder and manslaughter, against a lance corporal who'd been under investigation in the death of an Emerson College student after a fight in Boston in 2019.
Lance Cpl. Samuel London faces five charges in total, a representative for the Marines said Monday: murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault consummated by battery.
Daniel Hollis died last Oct. 2, days after being hospitalized with brain injuries following what his family described as a fight in Brighton.
His family said at the time that Hollis, who was 19, was leaving a party with friends when their group was "confronted" by another group of "college-aged boys." They believed a scuffle ensued during which Hollis was hit, causing him to hit his head on cement or bricks.
Prosecutors didn't say Monday what they believe took place in the incident that led to Hollis' death. It's not immediately clear if London has an attorney who can speak to the charges.
London was arraigned Friday in Quantico, Virginia, and is scheduled for trial on April 26, the Marines representative said.
Hollis' family released a statement Sunday night after they'd been told about the charges saying they were "incredibly grateful" for the military investigators and prosecutors who worked on the case.
They noted that it's been nearly 14 months since the fight that led to Hollis' death, and that "there is no longer the frustration and despair that the accused would not be called to account for their actions. It may be later than we had hoped, but the justice system is at work."
A Suffolk County grand jury had voted against indicting London this February. The family called that decision devastating.
"At that time, we felt that there was no justice for our son, our family, and all those who Dan loved and loved him in return," they said, adding that they were angry and in disbelief.
But they said a Boston police detective connected them with an agent from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in June, who told them the military would take over the case because London was a reservist on duty when the incident took place.
Hollis was a student-athlete who was majoring in marketing communications.
Emerson College released a statement Sunday night, following the Hollis family's, saying the student continues to be mourned.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hollis family as they continue to seek justice and closure following his death," the statement read.
