Accused pleads guilty to manslaughter in Calgary liquor store parking lot death
Court hears details of fight sparked by argument over joke that resulted in punch
What began as a joke ended in a deadly fight in the parking lot of a southeast Calgary liquor store, a Calgary court heard Wednesday.
Rico Alan Properzi, 34, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Peter Nassichuk on April 11, 2016.
Reading from a statement of agreed facts, Crown prosecutor Jason Wuttunee detailed the deadly encounter.
Wuttunee said Properzi and his friend, Scott Eadie, arrived at the Star Liquor store on McIvor Boulevard S.E. shortly before 10 p.m. on March 24, after having dinner with friends at a nearby pub.
About three minutes after Properzi and Eadie entered the store, Nassichuk, 37, walked in and, after briefly speaking to the clerk, went to the beer cooler before heading for the exit emptyhanded.
Properzi jokingly said to the clerk that he should check Nassichuk’s pockets in case he was shoplifting.
Angered by the comment, Nassichuk turned toward Properzi and spoke in a hostile manner while jabbing his finger at him.
“He is obviously angry and is scolding and gesticulating at the accused,” Wuttunee said, of the incident captured on a store surveillance camera.
Outside the store, Nassichuk challenged Properzi and Eadie to a fight. Properzi shoved Nassichuk away in an attempt to go to his truck, court was told. “As he does so, (Nassichuk) again challenges him to fight,” said Wuttunee.
Despite attempts by Properzi to defuse the situation by offering to shake his hand, Nassichuk continued to challenge him, saying “C’mon, I’ll kill you.”
At that point, Properzi quickly advanced toward Nassichuk, punching him twice, including once in the head. Nassichuk fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement. He was rushed to hospital unconscious. Despite surgery, he died more than two weeks later.
At the request of Properzi’s lawyer, Balfour Der, provincial court Judge Paul Mason ordered a presentence report. Properzi, who remains free, is scheduled to return to court Nov. 30.
He is obviously angry and is scolding and gesticulating at the accused.