A police officer in Halifax testified on Monday that he had to physically intervene to stop a bouncer from choking a patron outside a downtown bar nearly three years ago. The incident resulted in the death of Ryan Sawyer, who was unconscious and turning purple during the altercation.
Const. Jairus Lamphier was the first witness at the trial of Alexander Pishori Levy, a former security officer at the Halifax Alehouse bar, facing charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in connection to Sawyer’s passing on December 24, 2022.
The tragic event prompted discussions about the training and oversight of bar security personnel, with Sawyer’s family advocating for improved regulations in this sector. In court, Lamphier described the scene where he found Levy restraining Sawyer in a concerning manner, prompting him to intervene to save the unconscious patron.
Despite repeated commands to release his hold, Levy appeared focused and unresponsive until the officer physically intervened to separate the two. Sawyer was found unresponsive with severe physical symptoms, and despite CPR attempts, he passed away in the hospital.
The trial heard testimony from multiple witnesses, including Sawyer’s twin brother, Kyle, who was present during the incident. Kyle recounted the events leading up to the altercation, mentioning a confrontation inside the bar that escalated, leading to physical altercations outside involving the bouncers.
The court proceedings revealed conflicting testimonies regarding the events that transpired that night, with Kyle admitting to being intoxicated and engaging in physical altercations before the fatal encounter. The trial is ongoing, with further testimonies expected in the coming days.