Involuntary manslaughter charge filed in Oregon House bar death
The argument started with drunken name-calling at an Oregon House bar in September and ended with a Stockton man's death, the Yuba County District Attorney's Office said Friday.
Prosecutors filed charges of involuntary manslaughter and assault late Thursday against Haley M. Wike and issued a warrant for his arrest, District Attorney Pat McGrath confirmed.
Wike, 26, of Forbestown, is charged with killing 37-year-old Louis Pacini.
"It was an unintended death that was the result of a criminal battery," McGrath said Friday. "Everyone involved said (Pacini) was extremely intoxicated."
Investigators said Pacini had been drinking heavily for several hours on Sept. 15 at the Willow Glen Cafe, insulting multiple patrons before Wike arrived that evening.
Wike ordered a drink, but was not intoxicated. Wike was shooting pool when Pacini made a derogatory remark toward him, McGrath said.
"He said something of sexual nature, possibly referring to Mr. Wike's sexual identity," McGrath said.
Exactly what was said remains unclear.
Investigators initially said Wike was holding a pool cue when he punched Pacini in the face. However, multiple witnesses said Wike dropped the cue before he threw the fatal punch.
"There's no evidence the victim tried to fight or threw a punch," McGrath said.
Wick's punch tore an inch-long gash in Panic's face and knocked out several teeth, McGrath said.
Pacini dropped to the floor and hit his head.
He was hospitalized in a coma, experienced significant brain swelling and died 10 days later at Rideout Regional Medical Center in Marysville.
Autopsy results showed Pacini died of blunt force trauma to the head.
Wike voluntarily surrendered last month to the Yuba County Sheriff's Department in connection with the death, but was released from jail while prosecutors followed up with additional investigation.
CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.
