Sonoma Co. Jury Acquits Oregon Man In Best Friend's Death

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Sonoma County jury acquitted an Oregon man Monday of the voluntary manslaughter of his best friend. The jury deliberated less than six hours in Sonoma County Superior Court before finding Bruce Lee Eyles, 31, a mixed martial artist, not guilty of voluntary manslaughter of Isaac Sturtevant, 31, during an argument on Klute Street in Santa Rosa on July 31, 2016, defense attorney Tyler Hicks said.

The jury also acquitted Eyles of a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, and of both misdemeanor and felony assault and battery, Hicks said.

Both Eugene, Oregon residents quarreled when Eyles took Sturtevant's hat and Sturtevant grabbed Eyles' glasses, according to Santa Rosa police and testimony at Eyles' preliminary hearing back in September 2016.

Sturtevant also made disparaging comments about Eyles' deceased mother and threw an orange that struck and bruised Eyles' rib cage, Hicks said.

Eyles then punched Sturtevant once in the face, Sturtevant fell and struck his head on the ground, Hicks said. He died at the scene.

A doctor could not determine which blow killed Sturtevant, Hicks said.

Hicks argued at the trial that his client acted in self-defense.

Deputy District Attorney Carla Rodriguez asked the jury to convict Eyles of voluntary manslaughter.

"It was an unfortunate, unforeseeable and terrible tragedy," Hicks said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Staebell said Eyles was held to answer to the voluntary manslaughter charge after the preliminary hearing.

He said the case had to go to trial because there was a death at the hands of another person.

"We're disappointed but respect the verdict," Staebell said.

Eyles, who has been in the Sonoma County Jail since the incident, cried when the jury returned its verdict, Hicks said.

By Bay City News Service

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