Former UW student to be sentenced

By Siv Prince
May 8, 2008

Former UW student Anthony “Johnny” Shears was found guilty of two counts of second-degree felony assault on March 19. He was tried by a jury in the King County Superior Court and the verdict was handed down by King County Judge Richard Eadie. Shears will receive his sentencing May 19, said Dan Donahoe of the King County prosecutor’s office.

Shears was arrested for assaulting two 20-year-old women at a party at the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity April 12, 2007. The incident started as an argument between Shears and one female party guest, according to the testimony of the victims at the time of Shears’ arrest.

“Allegedly, it started as a verbal altercation, and the two spilled drinks on each other,” UWPD Chief Ray Wittmier told The Daily last spring. “[Shears] then struck one victim in the face.”

According to the police, Shears proceeded to push the victim onto the ground and stomp her face. A second female party guest attempted to intervene and was punched by Shears as well. The fight broke up when the private security guards hired for the party by Alpha Sigma Phi summoned the police.

Both women sustained injuries requiring medical attention and were taken to the UW Medical Center. One of the victims received stitches. Both were released the following day.

Shears was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. He was released April 14, 2007, pending his trial. A week later, he entered a plea of not guilty in the Superior Court of King County. Shears’ jury trial began March 12, 2008.

Shears, a former UW senior who intended to graduate last June, was attempting to pledge Delta Tau Delta at the time of the incident. Following his arrest, the fraternity severed all ties with Shears.

Shears graduated from Nathan Hale High School and was locally known as an underground rap artist. According to his Web site, Shears had released an album in 2005 titled Welcome to Seattle and had his music played on the radio in Seattle, Boston, New Hampshire and New York. Shears transferred to UW from Dartmouth College in 2006 for family reasons.

Shears’ sentencing hearing will be held at the King County Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. May 19.

#1 Middle F

commented, on
May 8, 2008 at 1:32 p.m.:

you're a garbage writer who is obviously trying to ruin this young man's life shameful that you would consider this news over the many other, far more violent and haneous activity going on in the city right now. he was at a frat house party and he is the only person to be arrested and/or charged? sounds really fishy to me. sounds typical of how these types of situations often pan out, when the so-called perpetrator is the minority in a mostly white group. the big mean black guy beats up an entire party...gimme a break! we've seen how american justice works: black man vs. the words of a white woman and/or man equals a guilty verdict. what passes for progressive in the northwest is a joke, nothing more than perfunctory white guilt.

#2 H

commented, on
May 8, 2008 at 1:56 p.m.:

This article is fine. You covered the facts clearly and objectively. Good job.

#3 M

commented, on
May 8, 2008 at 2:11 p.m.:

This is a good article. The first poster (Middle F) was wrong. The young (and STUPID) man who beat two young women is the piece of garbage, and will hopefully get the maximum sentence.

#4 Common Sense

commented, on
May 8, 2008 at 3:56 p.m.:

Don't try to play the race card...It's a lame excuse

#5 LE

commented, on
May 8, 2008 at 4:33 p.m.:

He is an abusive individual and these are not the only charges against him involving physical attacks. The court came to the right and just answer...guilty. It is not about race or anything like that, plain and simple, he needs help. Anthony made the decision, no one else, to hurt these women and he now faces the consequences of his actions. No one is trying to ruin any one else's career...Anthony did that himself.

#6 seriously!

commented, on
May 13, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.:

all of you...stop writing about things you clearly do NOT know about!

#7 RE:seriously

commented, on
May 13, 2008 at 12:51 p.m.:

They have the right to say whatever they want

#8 Blacken Your Eye

commented, on
May 13, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.:

Is the remix to Tears in your Eyes going to be Blacken Your Eye?

#9 Why?

commented, on
May 13, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.:

Can't I find his name in the King County Jail Registry? If you're arraigned, you should be on there, somethings not adding up...