| For Immediate Release Case # 08WF0891
May 28, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR KILLING MAN
IN BAR ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY BY
HITTING HIM IN HEAD WITH POOL CUE
WESTMINSTER – A man faces arraignment tomorrow for killing a man in a bar by intentionally hitting him in the head with a pool cue. Richard Lee Thompson, 46, Lakewood, is charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter by unlawful act and faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison if convicted. Thompson is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the West Justice Center in Westminster. The Department is to be assigned.
On March 17, 2008, Thompson is accused of getting into an argument 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 is accused of grabbing a nearby pool cue and swinging it at the victim, striking him one time in the head. The victim immediately collapsed and was taken to the hospital. Toole was placed on life support and died the next day.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Sonia Balleste of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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