Opinion ID: 1251259
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Deposition Testimony of Champion.

Text: Champion estimated that Ratigan Jr. arrived at the Sundowner Bar at approximately midnight or 12:30 a.m. and that his parents were already there when Ratigan Jr. arrived. With regard to Smith, Champion testified as follows: Q.... Do you recall Mike Smith coming in that night? A. Yes. Q. Do you know approximately what time he came in? A. He was in there probably twelve-thirtyish. It was close to being last call, so I wasn't really going to mess with him because he's nothe wasn't supposed to be in there in the first place. Q. Why is that? A. Back whenwhen was it we opened the bar, September? Let's say in mid September is when we took over the bar, and he had been in there a couple of months after we opened, so it'd probably be November or December, and he got in a fight or whatnot, and the bar owner, Keith, was there that night and had kicked him out. We didn't find out until a couple months later who [sic] his name was and what he was. I mean, we didn't know who he was then. Q. That was probably almost a year before the shooting incident? A. Yes. So I never really knew who he was. It was just that a girl that goes in there all the time, his wife or ex-wifeshe says ex-wife, but they're still married, as far as I know. She said, Well, yeah, that guy that got kicked out of here last month or whatever is my ex-husband, and he's trouble and this and that. So he's out of here now. We don't have to worry about him anymore. Q. You hadn't seen him in the bar until the night the shooting occurred? A. I'd seen him in there. See, he's the kind of guy that don't takeyou know, I'm not going to cause trouble. When he comes in, he comes in andhe'd only been in probably two or three times where I'd just glance over there and see him over there. He wouldn't even order a beer. Half the time he'd come in and just talk to a buddy and then leave. I don't know. He'd never really do nothing. Q. He wasn't one of the regular customers? A. Oh, no. Champion observed the pool game involving Ratigan, Ratigan Jr., Smith, and Lee. After the game, he noticed Smith just antagonizing and messing with Denny, Jr. Champion described what transpired next: It was something I was just waiting forI was likeit finally got to the point where I'm likeI can see Denny is getting sick of it, and I had enough of it, and I didn't want anything happening in the bar, and that's about when I stepped in and said, All right. It's 1:00. Everybody get out. He testified that Ratigan Jr. and Lee left the tavern, while Smith and his companion finished their beers and left 2 to 3 minutes later. Champion testified that at that point that I was happy they were all gone. You know, nothing happened in the bar. That's my main concern. Nothing happens in the bar. If it happens outside, it isn't as much a concern as what happens inside. So once they're outside, I was fine, you know. Champion testified that he remained inside the tavern picking up drinks and announcing last call to the remaining patrons. Then, four persons entered the tavern and said there was a fight in the parking lot. Champion then walked to the door and observed Ratigan Jr., Lee, Smith, and Smith's companion fighting in the parking lot, and Ratigan attempting to break up the fight. He locked the door and told the tavern patrons to remain inside. He then resumed picking up drinks, but then became worried about the fight in the parking lot and returned to the front door and looked outside. Champion described what he then saw: I don't know where Danny Lee was. Denny, Jr., I didn't see him, but I seen Smitty getting in his truck. Now, I knew exactly what he was doing because he wasn't getting in to sit down. He was reaching, and I just kind of yelled at him. I said, Hey, I called the cops. But I hadn't yet. Champion acknowledged that he should have probably called the police prior to this point, but had not done so because the fight didn't seem too major, you know, and it was breaking up. He then observed Smith waving a gun and heard him say All right. Now who's tough now. He also observed Ratigan standing nearby. He again told Smith that he had called the police, although he had not. Champion then closed and locked the front door again and called the police from inside the tavern. He returned to the front door and observed Ratigan Jr. and Smith on the ground fighting, with Smith still in possession of the gun. He then observed Ratigan approach the other two men and stop approximately 2 feet away from where Champion was standing. Smith then stood up and shot Ratigan at a range of 4 to 5 feet. Champion went out to the parking lot and brought Ratigan back into the tavern.