| For Immediate Release Case # 08WF0891
|
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
|
BAR PATRON CONVICTED OF KILLING ANOTHER CUSTOMER IN BAR ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY
BY HITTING HIM WITH POOL CUE
SANTA ANA – A bar patron was convicted today of killing another customer in a bar by hitting him in the head with a pool cue. Richard Lee Thompson, 48, Lakewood, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of involuntary manslaughter by unlawful act and faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison at his sentencing, Feb. 19, 2010, in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
On March 17, 2008, Thompson started an argument over a beer with 44-year-old Steven Toole at Breaker’s Bar in Cypress. The victim pushed the defendant, who fell to the floor. When Thompson stood up, he grabbed a nearby pool cue and swung it at the victim, striking him one time in the head with the fat end of the cue. The victim immediately collapsed and was taken to the hospital. Toole was placed on life support and died the next day.
Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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