A former Winnipeg bar bouncer has been found not guilty of manslaughter in the death of a patron two years ago.
A jury delivered the verdict in a Winnipeg courtroom late Friday afternoon, sparking a sigh of relief, hugging and tears from the family of Nick Somers.
He had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. He was accused of killing 33 year old Gary Rent with one punch outside of Bar Italia on Corydon Avenue in July 2010.
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Court heard Rent went to Bar Italia on Corydon Avenue to speak with his brother-in-law, who was also a bouncer.
Prosecutors told the jury Rent got upset when his brother-in-law didn’t want to speak to him while at work.
Several hours later, as staff were closing the bar, Rent wanted to fight his brother-in-law. As other staff tried to intervene, 28-year-old Somers punched Rent once in the face, Rent fell back, hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. He fractured his skull and was in a coma. He later died in hospital.
Court heard Rent was drunk, more than twice the legal driving limit.
Somers has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
In June of this year, court heard another similar story. A Jury found former University of Manitoba Bison football star, Jeremy Botelho not guilty of manslaughter. Botelho punched Kelly Clay in the face, Clay fell to the ground, hitting his head on the floor fracturing his skull, a blow that ultimately ended his life.
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