Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Highland Man's Death
Police say Evan James Wells punched Highland's Ronald Smith, who fell and hit his head on the cement at a Holly bar and died three days later.
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Fenton resident Evan James Wells has pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in Oakland County Circuit Court and also to being a Habitual Fourth Offender.
Sentencing will take place at Oakland County Circuit Court at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 26. Wells is held at Oakland County Jail pending sentencing.
Police responded to a call from Martini’s Bar & Grill in the Village of Holly for an assault complaint on Friday, Oct. 12. Officers arrived and found a 43-year-old Highland man lying unconscious outside the bar, according to Holly police.
Rescue crews transported the victim, who police have identified as Ronald Smith, 43, of Highland, to Genesys Regional Medical Center, where he never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead three days later, according to police.
Police say Wells punched the victim in the face during an altercation, causing Smith to fall backward and slam his head on the cement, resulting in a severe brain injury.
