In a recent case, Cornelius Ellis, represented by Mark Hanchey, was sentenced to five years of probation following a conviction for felony menacing. The court also ordered Ellis to pay $18,000, which will be directed towards covering the victim’s medical bills. The case stems from a 2023 incident at an antiques billiards hall, where Ellis was involved in a violent altercation.
The Incident
The incident unfolded when Ellis returned to the billiards hall, reportedly to retrieve a forgotten phone. Due to an earlier conflict, a bartender requested that Ellis be escorted out. At this point, the victim, Jose Per Gonzalez, took physical action by throwing Ellis to the ground. The situation escalated quickly, with Ellis resorting to using a taser on Gonzalez multiple times. Despite the taser’s use, Ellis found himself pinned beneath Gonzalez and, in a desperate attempt to defend himself, bit off part of Gonzalez’s nose.
Self-Defense Argument
Mark Hanchey, Ellis’s attorney, defended his client’s actions by emphasizing that Ellis was acting in self-defense. According to Hanchey, Gonzalez had become enraged, headbutting Ellis and pinning his arms down, leaving Ellis unable to escape. After multiple attempts to use the taser failed to stop the assault, Ellis bit Gonzalez during a headbutt in an effort to protect himself.
Ellis’s medical condition, paraphimosis syndrome, was also a critical factor in the defense. This condition can cause sciatic nerve pain, which added to Ellis’s vulnerability while being pinned down. Hanchey argued that the combination of Ellis’s physical condition and the nature of the attack left his client with no choice but to defend himself in the manner he did.
A Legal Victory
While the case was serious, Ellis’s defense team considers the outcome a victory. The probation sentence allows Ellis to avoid prison time, and although he must pay restitution for the victim’s medical expenses, he will not face further incarceration.
Hanchey noted that his client was in a life-threatening situation and acted within the boundaries of self-defense. This outcome reflects the court’s recognition of Ellis’s desperate circumstances during the altercation.
Ellis is set to report to his probation officer, and his attorney remains optimistic that this resolution will allow him to move forward with his life while fulfilling his legal obligations.
This case underscores the importance of self-defense claims in violent altercations, particularly when medical conditions play a role in the accused’s ability to respond to a perceived threat.