Self-defense plea avails Reno man nothing

Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000 | 4:07 a.m.

Washoe District Judge Steven Kosach sentenced Ira Clifford Ellison, 64, after he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Ellison admitted he struck John Riesen Jr. in April 1999 with an auto part resembling a shock absorber. The two men worked at Borgman auto repair in Reno and Riesen was on the verge of getting fired.

Ellison said he intervened to try to help Riesen with their boss, but when Riesen was finally let go, he erupted in a rage.

Ellison said he simply was defending himself. But prosecutors said Ellison went too far, continuing to beat Riesen after he stopped resisting.

An autopsy showed 15 separate blows to Riesen's body, including three to the head.

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