Midlothian teen accepts plea deal in Ellis murder

Lindenfeld

In exchange for a life sentence, 18-year-old Louis Shawn Lindenfeld took a plea deal in Henrico County Circuit Court on Nov. 16 and admitted to killing his fellow classmate, Allen "Chip" Ellis.

Both Lindenfeld and Ellis were students at Midlothian High School.

Ellis' body was discovered in the trunk of his abandoned car in eastern Henrico County last May three days after he disappeared while returning movies to the Midlothian Library. He had been shot in the head.

Lindenfeld was sentenced to life in prison and fined $100,000 for robbing and murdering Ellis. He was previously scheduled to go on trial for Ellis' murder on Nov. 27.

The evidence against Lindenfeld was overwhelming and included eyewitness accounts that placed him at the Midlothian Library, at the site where Ellis' car was discovered, and near a dumpster where important evidence related to the case was recovered. Lindenfeld also allegedly told a family member that he killed Ellis.

His motive? Lindenfeld said he'd had a fight with his father, who he was living with in Midlothian, and needed a car to go visit his mother in Richmond.

Defense attorneys said Lindenfeld accepted the plea deal to avoid the death penalty.