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Dec. 16, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Board finds chiropractor guilty of unprofessional conduct

By ANNETTE WELLS
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Stephen Shaw appears before the Chiropractic Physicians Board of Nevada on Nov. 30 at a hearing to consider revoking his license. The board on Saturday found Shaw guilty of unprofessional conduct, but stayed revocation of his chiropractic license in connection with a 2005 altercation in which a 60-year-old man suffered fatal injuries.
Photo by Gary Thompson.

A Las Vegas chiropractor can continue to practice, but will have to toe the line for the next 41/2 years after receiving professional discipline Saturday for a 2005 altercation in which a 60-year-old man suffered fatal injuries.

The Chiropractic Physicians Board of Nevada found Stephen B. Shaw, 38, guilty of unprofessional conduct for leaving Fabulous Freddy's Car Wash on March 11, 2005, after he shoved Lawrence Weiss. The shove caused the retired record company executive to fall, hit his head on a rack of propane tanks and suffer fatal head injuries.

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    • "That is in direct violation of his chiropractors license, which is to relieve people of human suffering," said Elizabeth Foley, the prosecuting attorney.

    Shaw pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in March in connection with Weiss' death and received five years probation.

    The board revoked Shaw's license but stayed that revocation for 41/2 years, the length of time remaining on the chiropractor's felony probation.

    The chiropractic board also ruled that Shaw must undergo psychological testing within six months, take an anger management course, national chiropractic law and ethics tests and complete 500 hours of board-approved community service within a year.

    Shaw was fined $10,000 for violating state law and must pay board costs for the hearings and investigation into his case.

    A board-appointed officer will track Shaw's compliance with the penalties and conditions handed out by the board. Should Shaw not comply or violate his probation, his license would be up for revocation, the board said.

    Weiss' relatives appeared frustrated during and after the hearing. Most could be seen wiping away tears.

    "This board is supposed to let the public know that chiropractors are held to higher standards," said Linda Edwards, Weiss' sister, who filed the chiropractic board complaint against Shaw.

    "This man blew up and lost control and someone is dead because of it. He could do it again."

    Edwards, of Ketchum, Idaho, said Shaw's actions in the incident are contrary to what health care providers should do.

    Shaw's attorney, John Hunt, said he too was disappointed by the board's decision, but for different reasons.

    "We think their conclusion is unjust because the criminal justice system had already spoken," Hunt said. "This was not a fair decision."

    Saturday's hearing, which lasted almost six hours, was the second in two weeks. The board heard nearly 10 hours of testimony on Nov. 30 about the complaint against Shaw.

    According to the complaint, which sought the revocation of Shaw's license, disciplinary action was warranted because of unprofessional conduct.

    Shaw testified at the earlier hearing and on Saturday that he went to Fabulous Freddy's at Fort Apache Road and Charleston Boulevard after receiving a call from his wife, Raquel, who told him a man had attacked her as she sat in her vehicle with the couple's two daughters.

    Witnesses told police that Weiss believed Raquel Shaw had cut him off in her vehicle before entering Fabulous Freddy's and that the two had exchanged words.

    Shaw testified that he left the scene not realizing Weiss had suffered life-threatening injuries.

    In hindsight, the chiropractor testified Saturday, he "probably should have called 911" instead of taking matters into his own hands. "There's not a day that goes by that you don't think about it. It is nothing short of a tragedy," he said.

    Shaw said his practice has suffered since the incident. Some patients have left and his relationships with some insurance companies and attorneys that had referred patients to him have been lost.

    "It's tough to be somebody's doctor when you break down and cry in front of them. You do lose their trust," he said. "I've lost some patients."

    Shaw's plea required only that he admit prosecutors could prove their case against him. Despite a probation officer's report recommending a prison term of 12 to 30 months, District Judge Donald Mosley sentenced Shaw to five years of probation.

    Shaw, who has been licensed as a chiropractor in Nevada since 1997, had no other disciplinary actions on his record.

    Contact reporter Annette Wells at awells @reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0283.

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    ou812 wrote on December 17, 2007 04:11 PM: His peers have spoken, and you will not change that.


    Brandy wrote on December 17, 2007 03:26 PM: Karma is a B&^%$!
    Dr. Shaw probably ended up saving so many lives with the treatments he has provided to his patients throughout his career. My father was one of them and was relieved of excrutiating pain after seeing Dr. Shaw. Unfortunately, people look at this situation and think that Dr. SHaw was just a violent madman. Thats so far off base but people are ignorant when they read things like the paper and just hear one side of the story. Its okay you ignoramuses! Let me explain...
    Dr. Shaw has no criminal record. He hadn't even had a parking ticket before this incident. Now this man loves his wife and protects his family. He did that on this fateful day when a madman approached his wife. Is it just me or a coincidence that this man died while at UMC? Did anyone miss that? Please tell me why he passed away while in a hospital well equipped to handle head traumas? I am sure the victim probably had a nasty fall but death? Who doesn't think that's drastic. Especially when he was in the hospital for 3 days. Before you read a story and think you have all the answers look a bit deeper! Dr. Shaw pushed the man and could have called the paramedics. So could any of the other bystanders around who were still there. How about the clerk or the people who were working at the carwash?
    Nananana! He didn't lose his job haters! You actually gave him some more work to do. I am confident that he will excel in all the community service he was awarded and end up on top again. So there!


    Karen wrote on December 17, 2007 11:10 AM: You people are way out of line! Why speak about somebody you don't know or an issue you know nothing about? The RJ is telling you what they want you to know. Maybe you should have sat through the countless hours of testimony and heard the real story. This is a simple case of roadrage. Mr. Weiss had no right to yank open someone's car door, spit & curse at a helpless woman. Do you think for one minute he would have done that if a man cut him off in traffic? Not likely. If anyone is a "bully" it sure isn't Steve Shaw! And you're right, karma is a b**ch. Maybe the staff at UMC or the surgeon that decided to wait 17 hours before operating should remember that. I'm sure none of you knew that "little" fact did you? I welcome any married man to tell me he wouldn't do the same thing to protect his wife and children. I would look you in the eye and call you a liar! I'm sure none of the low lives posting here aren't married or else they would have different views.


    Karen wrote on December 17, 2007 11:06 AM: You people are way out of line! Why speak about somebody you don't know or an issue you know nothing about? The RJ is telling you what they want you to know. Maybe you should have sat through the countless hours of testimony and heard the real story. This is a simple case of roadrage. Mr. Weiss had no right to yank open someone's car door, spit & curse at a helpless woman. Do you think for one minute he would have done that if a man cut him off in traffic? Not likely. If anyone is a "bully" it sure isn't Steve Shaw! And you're right, karma is a bitch. Maybe the staff at UMC or the surgeon that decided to wait 17 hours before operating should remember that. I'm sure none of you knew that "little" fact did you? I welcome any married man to tell me he wouldn't do the same thing to protect his wife and children. I would look you in the eye and call you a liar! I'm sure none of the low lives posting here aren't married or else they would have different views.


    screwshaw@yahoo.com wrote on December 17, 2007 12:12 AM: I feel for the dead man's family. No matter what he may have saaid or done, he did not deserve to die for yelling at a person. Karma is coming, and it is a b!tch!!!


    Rodman wrote on December 16, 2007 04:46 PM: Reguarding the Shaws; Whats the name of Toby Keiths album??? I believe it was called, White Trash With Money.


    KK wrote on December 16, 2007 11:51 AM: I BET THE MISSES IS A REAL WITCH TO LIVE WITH ? SHE YELLS AND HE JUMPS . NOW HOW SMART WAS THAT. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW STUPID MEN ARE BECAUSE THEY THINK WITH THEIR HEADS BETWEEN THEIR LEGS !


    Harold wrote on December 16, 2007 09:49 AM: Oooooooooooooooo! Larry Ott, tough guy.


    David Tracy wrote on December 16, 2007 09:20 AM: It's interesting to note that Ms. Shaw did not call the police when she claimed to feel threatened, she called Dr. Shaw.

    Dr. Shaw said his wife telephoned him to report that a man "attacked her." So Ms. Shaw remained at the scene with her children until Dr. Shaw showed up. If she had called 911 and reported that a man had attacked her, Metro would have responded with lights and sirens. Maybe Ms. Shaw never really felt threatened, just angry.

    Maybe what Ms. Shaw really wanted was for her bully husband, in front of her children, to get even with the other bully.


    George Roberts wrote on December 16, 2007 08:32 AM: It's outrageous that our systems have allowed this man to essentially walk away from a violent homicide. In his professional position, probation, a fine, and a stayed revocation or his license are meaningless. I can easily imagine that he will spend more money on new cars and vacations over the next 5 years than this case has cost him. We should all be angry about this.


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