Stun-gun use brings probation

School employee shocked boy, 13, at Horace Mann

Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 8, 2006 at midnight

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A school employee who used a stun gun to discipline a 13-year-old was sentenced to six months' probation Tuesday, with a warning that he'll go to prison if he doesn't stay on his medications for bipolar disorder.

Shaun Ellis, 25, who worked in an after-school program at Horace Mann Middle School, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault for using a stun gun on an eight-grader.

Ascencion Rivera, the boy's mother, said she was satisfied with the sentence.

"I'm glad it's over," she said, "but I wish he'd given him jail time."

Rivera said she and her son are still suffering effects from the bizarre incident that took place Jan. 11.

"We're still going through therapy. I always thought (school employees) were there to protect the kids. I trusted them," she said, choking back her tears.

Her son was in school when Ellis called him out of class and told him to take a seat in the school's empty auditorium. Ellis told the boy he was in trouble for tripping a girl the night before at a basketball game.

Ellis used his stun gun on the boy. When he shot up in his chair from the shock, Ellis punched him in the stomach and shocked him again.

Michael Ellis told the court that the incident was "totally out of character" for his son, who is dedicated to helping the homeless and spent several years in Russia with his family as a missionary helping the poor.

He is a volunteer tutor, visits a nursing home each week and helped host the Russian press corps during the G8 meeting in Denver several years ago, his father said.

"He is a very exceptional and remarkable young man who has never been in any trouble in his life," Michael Ellis said.

"As Shaun's parents, our hearts are deeply (troubled) that Shaun has hurt someone. His behavior is unacceptable and cannot be excused."

Michael Ellis said that his son was on medication to control his bipolar disorder, but went off his medication several days before the attack because he was taking over-the- counter cold medicine.

Shaun Ellis had been carrying a stun gun as protection after he was assaulted about a month before the incident at the school, he said.

Shaun Ellis apologized to the boy and his family. "I am profoundly and deeply sorry for what has happened," he said. "I did not intend to harm him. I'm sorry."

The judge ordered Ellis to continue with treatment and to stay on his medication.

"You potentially have a person within you that is dangerous," he said. "If you don't do what you need to do to control that person, then you're going to go to prison."

Ellis may have many fine qualities but chose to go off his medication, the judge said. "He was in a position of trust and someone who depended on him ended up harmed."

Mullins ordered Ellis to write a letter of apology to his victim. "Until (the boy is) convinced he didn't do anything to justify this attack, there won't be any closure for him," Mullins said.

The victim's family has notified the school district it plans to sue the district and Ellis, said their attorney, John Pineau.

"This has been very, very difficult for them," said prosecutor Kerri Lombardi. "School is a place where students are supposed to be safe."

lindsays@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5181

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