Adams County’s top prosecutor has declined to charge a bouncer in the death of 23-year-old Denver man .
“The district attorney has declined the filing of criminal charges in this case based on the unlikelihood of success of disproving self-defense in this matter beyond a reasonable doubt,” the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Wednesday.
Sammy Pickel was placed in a chokehold by the bouncer on March 12 at Lodo’s Bar and Grill, according to Bridgette Kimball, the mother of his fiancee.
He was removed from life support on March 15.
Prosecutors said their investigation found Pickel was subdued at the bar after a physical altercation.
Denver7 reported Pickel’s fiance, Suzette Meacham, said the altercation happened after a woman at the bar slapped Pickel on the buttocks. The woman walked away but soon returned with three men who picked a fight with Pickel, Meacham told the TV station.
Kate Kazell, spokeswoman for the Westminster Police Department, said bouncers at the sports bar stepped in to break up a disturbance and one of the bouncers grabbed Pickel around the neck.
“He was placed in some sort of headlock and went unconscious,” she said.
Sue Lindsay, spokeswoman for district attorney Dave Young, said evidence in the case was not immediately available for release. When it is, she says, it will be made available to Pickles’ family and then the public.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
