On Monday, February 27th Raphael Ellison (68 years old) was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Callahan on five counts stemming from an incident on November 11, 2020 at the residence of 78 Linden Street, Pittsfield MA.
On the evening of the incident, Mr. Ellison attacked and then threatened an individual he used to have a romantic relationship. Mr. Ellison was in the process of moving out of the apartment he shared with the victim when he first assaulted her. A neighbor called the police who then removed Mr. Ellison from the apartment. Later in the evening Mr. Ellison returned to the apartment, forced his way in and again physically abused the victim and threatened both the victim and her family if she were to attempt to leave.
At sentencing the victim read a victim impact statement. She spoke about lasting emotional trauma and physical pain from the abuse she endured.
District Attorney Shugrue commends the victim for reading an impact statement.
Sentencing: Count 1, Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury sentenced to 5-7.5 years; Count 2, Assault and Battery Serious Bodily Injury, sentenced to 4-5 years; Count 3, Strangulation or Suffocation, sentenced to 4-5 years; Count 4, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, sentenced to 4-5 years; Count 5, Kidnapping with Serious Bodily Injury, Armed, sentenced to 5-7.5 years. The sentencing reflected the Commonwealth’s sentencing recommendations.
Pittsfield Police Officers Gariepy and Tracy (who now works for the Lanesborough PD) were the responding officers. Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the Commonwealth. Jane Kibby-Pierce, Director of the Victim Witness Advocates, served as the advocate for the victim.