Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 53-year-old Shawn R. Connors of Springville was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to two years of probation.

On Thursday, March 25, 2021, at approximately 6:49 a.m., the defendant approached the male victim in a parking lot outside of Springville Middle School. The defendant, with the intent to cause physical injury, punched the victim in the face multiple times. The victim, who is a teacher, fell to the ground during the attack, which caused injuries to his face and knees. The defendant also pushed a juvenile who was a witness to the assault.  

State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns found Connors guilty of one count of Assault in the Third Degree and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanors). Justice Burns rendered his decision after a one-day bench trial, convicting the defendant of lesser included offense in the indictment against him on November 19, 2021.

Today, Justice Wojtaszek, who oversaw the proceeding today following the retirement of Justice Burns, sentenced the defendant to two years of probation on each count to run concurrently. A final no-contact order of protection was issued for the victim and the victim’s child, which remains in effect until 2027.

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R. D. Miller of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.