A Madison man arrested in the beating of a local nightclub owner with the butt of a sawed off shotgun was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of probation.
Jason Hall, who was 19 at the time of the March 30 beating, pled guilty to possession of a short-barreled shotgun July 12.
According to the criminal complaint, following a verbal altercation at Ian's Pizza, 319 Frances St., Hall accompanied Club Majestic owner Nick Schiavo to UW Parking Area 46, across the street from Witte Hall.
Hall fired the shotgun into the air in front of a group of about 20 people. He then beat Schiavo over the head with the blunt end of the weapon. Police later found him unconscious and apprehended Hall on tips from witnesses. Hall has since maintained he was acting in self defense.
Schiavo's nightclub, Club Majestic, 115 King St., has recently incurred the disfavor of the city over its violent bar-time atmosphere that routinely draws police to the area, in several instances to investigate gunshots and stabbings.
