[AppyPappy]

You don't beat a guy to death by accident. The smaller guy wasn't accidentally walking into a punch. Of course, we could get his side of the story but.....he's dead.

[wardaddy]

Sorry but I disagree. I can't say for sure that the big guy is truly innocent but many folks have been killed by one good punch to the temple or an uppercut that snapped their jaw so hard it damaged their cervical spinal cord or brain stem. It's not common but happens.

My original question in starting this thread was I didn't know until yesterday that the victim had a history of picking fights....including 2 convictions. That's mitigating to me at least.

[scouse]

You don't beat a guy to death by accident.

This statement doesn't hold water. It is possible to kill a man with one punch. It all depends on where and how the punch lands. Hitting a person just using the weight of your arms may not do any damage. But the same punch with the weight of the shoulder and body behind it can cause a great deal of damage.