A former bouncer from the Halifax Alehouse who is facing charges in connection with the death of a patron outside the bar nearly three years ago testified on Wednesday that he had the man in a chokehold during a confrontation and released the pressure when the man stopped resisting.
Alexander Levy, the ex-security head at the Halifax Alehouse, is currently standing trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court for criminal negligence causing death and manslaughter in the case of Ryan Sawyer, 31, who passed away after an altercation outside the bar on December 24, 2022.
During his testimony, Levy stated that he had used a “rear-naked chokehold” numerous times over his 16-year career in bar security to control individuals who were being combative. He mentioned that he had never encountered issues with this technique in the past, and no one had to be hospitalized as a result.
Medical evidence presented in court indicated that the incident in December 2022, along with the neck restraint, led to Sawyer’s heart failure, ultimately resulting in his death due to oxygen deprivation to the brain.
The events that unfolded outside the bar within a short span of time are pivotal to the trial, with video footage from surveillance cameras and witnesses providing various perspectives.
The court heard that Sawyer and his twin brother were asked to leave the Alehouse by Levy following a disturbance inside. Outside the establishment, surveillance footage captured the moments when Ryan Sawyer approached Levy, and a scuffle ensued after his brother pushed the bouncer.
Levy engaged with Kyle Sawyer initially, but another security staff member intervened to restrain him. Levy then retrieved Kyle Sawyer’s jacket from the sidewalk and threw it onto the street before assisting in subduing Ryan Sawyer.
During the struggle, Levy described being in a precarious position where he felt vulnerable to potential harm from Sawyer. He applied a chokehold for a brief period, releasing it when Sawyer ceased his aggressive behavior but maintained his grip until assistance arrived.
Subsequently, law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, prompting Levy to relinquish his hold on Sawyer. Contrary to a police officer’s account, Levy denied increasing pressure during the altercation.
The trial also highlighted the absence of weapons in the brothers’ possession, as well as discrepancies in the video evidence regarding Sawyer’s actions. Levy admitted to striking Kyle Sawyer and acknowledged his training in the use of force, particularly the chokehold technique.
Levy underscored the importance of using the chokehold as a last resort to swiftly resolve conflicts, emphasizing the risks associated with physical altercations. He recounted past instances of sustaining injuries while working in security roles and the challenging nature of such encounters.
The cross-examination of Levy by the prosecutor delved into various aspects of the incident, shedding light on the circumstances leading to the tragic outcome.
Overall, the courtroom proceedings provided insights into the events leading up to the fatal altercation, with testimonies and video evidence playing a crucial role in unraveling the sequence of events.