The prosecution has concluded presenting its evidence in the trial involving a former bouncer in Halifax accused of causing the death of a bar patron through a chokehold incident on Christmas Eve nearly three years ago.
Alexander Pishori Levy, aged 40, faces charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence leading to the death of Ryan Sawyer, aged 31, in an altercation outside the Halifax Alehouse on December 24, 2022. The Nova Scotia Supreme Court trial’s final witness for the prosecution was Dr. Christopher Milroy, a forensic pathologist who examined the autopsy findings and video footage from the incident.
During his testimony via video link from Ottawa, Milroy explained that a correctly applied neck restraint can render a person unconscious within 10 to 15 seconds. The video evidence displayed during the trial indicated that Levy maintained a grip around Sawyer’s neck for more than two minutes. Milroy pointed out that the bruising on Sawyer’s throat, as observed in the autopsy images, was consistent with a chokehold, which, if prolonged, could result in brain damage and eventual death.
Under questioning from Levy’s defense attorney, James Giacomantonio, Milroy acknowledged seeing movements from Sawyer in the videos, implying that he was conscious during the struggle and not experiencing a seizure. Furthermore, Milroy mentioned that the possibility of Sawyer suffering a sudden heart attack or sustaining injuries in an earlier scuffle with another bouncer before the encounter with Levy could not be ruled out.
Before Milroy’s testimony, the court heard from two other bouncers on duty the night Sawyer died. Greg White, a member of the Alehouse security team, stated that he, Levy, and other staff had undergone training in security and self-defense, with Levy supervising security operations that night. White highlighted the need for more bouncers outside the bar when Sawyer and his brother were ejected, noting that reinforcements were called for during the altercation.
Osman Barrie, the head of security at a nearby establishment, Buck Ugly’s, testified that he intervened during the disturbance, attempting to calm Sawyer and requesting bystanders to keep their distance. Barrie confirmed that Sawyer was still breathing when the police responded to a 911 call.
Giacomantonio informed Justice James Chipman that the defense required time to strategize before the trial reconvenes on Wednesday.