TOWANDA -- A man from Bradford county is facing involuntary manslaughter charges for his involvement in a fight outside a bar that left another man dead.
Emery Johnson of Towanda covered his face as he walked into his arraignment Tuesday.
Johnson is charged with aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in the death of Ronald Powell, 61, of Ulster earlier this month.
There is a cross drawn on a sign outside Captain Jack's Bar and Grill on Main Street.
According to court papers, Powell was at the bar over Labor Day weekend and started yelling when he noticed his drink and cigarettes were gone. He was told to leave. Once outside, Powell and Johnson began to fight.
Police say Johnson admitted to throwing a punch, but only after the victim antagonized him inside the bar.
"The actor alleges he was challenged by the victim to come outside and fight and initially he did not want to do it, but kept being egged on by the victim kept being egged on by the victim to outside of the establishment,” said Detective Al Ogden.
Court papers say the punch from Johnson caused Powell to fall and hit his head on the sidewalk. Powell died the next day. The Bradford County Coroner has ruled the death a homicide.
"It wasn't necessarily the hit the punch that did it. It was you know the falling on the concrete after being hit," said Detective Ogden.
Bail was set at $500,000. Johnson is expected back in court next week. He is locked up in Bradford County prison.
