Manslaughter Charges Filed In Fatal St. Pete Bar Fight

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A 39-year-old man faces manslaughter charges after St. Petersburg Police say he was responsible for throwing a punch that ultimately led to the death of another man.

The incident that prompted the charges occurred on Feb. 10 at 2:26 a.m. Police say Bobby Ryan and Christopher Motlenski, 53, got into a dispute inside Angelo’s Grill and Bar, 536 1st Ave. N. The argument continued outside, police wrote in an email to media. At that time, Ryan is accused of hitting Motlenski in the head.

“Motlenski fell backwards striking his head on the pavement, knocking him unconscious,” the email said.

Motlenski was taken to Bayfront Health and remained unconscious in critical, but stable condition.

Ryan was charged with felony battery a few days after the fight, arrested at his St. Petersburg home, police wrote.

Motlenski, however, died from his injuries on March 7, 4:45 p.m., while under the care of Hospice at Bayfront Helath. “The report from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office stated that the cause of Motlenski's death was complications due to head trauma and ruled his death to be a homicide,” the email said.

The Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office amended Ryan’s arrest charge to manslaughter on Tuesday, March 15, as a result of the death, the sheriff's office said.

Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail

Sign up for the St. Pete Patch newsletter and alerts!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, too!