Winnipeg Free Press > Latest News > Manslaughter trial focuses on deadly punch

Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Manslaughter trial focuses on deadly punch

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 09/25/2012 1:00 AM

IT was an ugly scene outside a popular Corydon Avenue bar: raised tensions, heated words and a single punch to the head that had a devastating result.

Gary Rent, 33, a University of Manitoba graduate student, died following the July 2010 altercation outside Bar Italia.

Now, the actions of a Winnipeg bouncer are under a legal microscope at the start of a high-profile homicide trial.

Nicholas Garrett Somers, 29, began his jury case Monday by pleading not guilty to manslaughter. Somers was working at the bar at the time and allegedly punched Rent from the side, causing him to fall to the pavement and strike his head. He was rushed to hospital but died hours later. An autopsy revealed he'd suffered blunt-force trauma.

The Crown told jurors Monday the key question is whether Somers was justified in punching Rent or committed an "unlawful act that caused his death."

"It's a sad case, a tragic story," prosecutor Christina Kopynsky said in her opening statement.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 25, 2012 B2

Fact Check

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

  • Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.

  • Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.

  • Please indicate your source for the correct information.

  • Please include any contact information you may have.

  • Yes

    No

  • This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.

  • This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.

  • Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.

Comments are not accepted on this story because they might prejudice a case before the courts.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Raw: Bomb squad investigates package on Portage Ave

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • An American White Pelican takes flight from the banks of the Red River in Lockport, MB. A group of pelicans is referred to as a ‘pod’ and the American White Pelican is the only pelican species to have a horn on its bill. May 16, 2012. SARAH O. SWENSON / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
  • MIKE.DEAL@FREEPRESS.MB.CA 100615 - Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 The Mane Attraction - Lions are back at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Xerxes a 3-year-old male African Lion rests in the shade of a tree in his new enclosure at the old Giant Panda building. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Which of these everyday math tasks could you tackle without a calculator? (Select all that apply)

View Results

View Related Story

Ads by Google