Opinion ID: 2090731
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: headlock incident

Text: At trial, Dennis Sr. described the headlock incident that followed the pool game as a little altercation between Smith and Dennis Jr.; Dennis Sr. testified that it concerned him and made him a little nervous, so he bought Smith a drink in an attempt to defuse the situation. On cross-examination, however, Dennis Sr. characterized this altercation between Smith and Dennis Jr. as horseplay. Micheline testified that she saw Smith put Dennis Jr. in a headlock and that it did not appear playful to her; she thought Dennis Jr. was getting hurt. However, she also testified that when Dennis Sr. bought Smith a drink, the altercation ended. On cross-examination, Micheline admitted that after Dennis Sr. bought Smith a drink, she did not hear any more noise or observe any other problems and that the whole incident had quieted down, as far as she knew. Officer Joe Benak, the responding officer, testified that Champion, the bartender on duty the night of the shooting, told him that Dennis Sr. and Dennis Jr. were playing pool with Smith and Smith's companion when an argument started. As the argument grew more heated, Champion asked Dennis Jr. to leave because he did not want a fight in the bar. Champion testified, however, that he did not see Smith put Dennis Jr. in a headlock and that he did not know why Dennis Sr. purchased a beer for Smith and Smith's companion. A portion of Champion's deposition was then read into evidence in which Champion testified, I noticed what was going on, and from what I seen was Michael Smith just antagonizing and messing with Denny, Jr. After the deposition was read, Champion admitted that he was concerned about the situation between Dennis Jr. and Smith. Since closing time was approaching, Champion asked Dennis Jr. to leave. Champion testified that he asked Dennis Jr. to leave rather than Smith because he knew that Dennis Jr. would listen to him and he did not want to cause any more problems than had already arisen. However, Champion knew of no physical confrontation involving Smith prior to the fight in the parking lot.