MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY BEATING A MAN TO DEATH IN A BAR FIGHT DURING A PARTY
A 26-year-old named Matthew Marsiglia has been charged with manslaughter by Baton Rouge Police Department, after he allegedly got into a bar fight with Devin Repath during a friend's bachelor party, ultimately leading to Repath's death. The police was not called to the scene after the fight, following which Marsiglia and others left the place. But Uniform Patrol Officers on extra duty that day located Repath in an "unconscious" state. The victim was then taken to the hospital immediately for treatment, where he "succumbed to his injuries." An investigation was soon launched in which detectives were able to zero in on Matthew Marsiglia as a suspect.
WAFB 9 reported that Marsgilia turned himself in within a week of the alleged murder, and the police found camera footage in which Repath could be clearly identified as the person initiating the fight, according to the affidavit released by the department. In one set of visuals, Repath simply goes ahead and attacks an unidentified person, and later he is seen to be engaging with Marsiglia and his friends. At one point he tries to hit Marsiglia but the latter ducks and leaves unscathed. After this Marsiglia used both of his hands and shoved Repath by the shoulders causing him to fall and hit his head on the parking lot pavement. Repath's body was taken into autopsy where it was concluded that he died from blunt force trauma to the head.
According to Criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt, who is not involved in the case, this is a clear matter of self-defense which should not attract a heavy-hitting charge like manslaughter. “This man should not face trial. He shouldn’t be prosecuted. I got no dog in this hunt. I’m just telling you as someone who does this for a living. This looks bizarre that this would be an arrest warrant,” he added. At present, Marsgilia is out on a $50,000 bond and waiting for his court date.
On the other hand, Simon G who claims to be an eyewitness to the fight, Marsgilia was no innocent bystander in this entire case. The witness added that he saw the fight turn intense in a matter of seconds and described the attacker as a “deranged” tall man who used his bare hands to bludgeon Repath. "You ever see somebody and they look like they have demons in them? He had anger in his eyes, and he was causing trouble," Simon told the outlet.
Repath's family has launched a GoFundMe to ask for financial assistance after the case saying, "We are reaching out with heavy hearts following the unexpected loss of our beloved Devin Michael Repath. A devoted partner to Sheylli Pantoja, a doting father to two wonderful boys, Melo and Liam, a son, a brother, a friend, the life of every party… Devin’s absence has left an irreplaceable void in our lives."