Trial set for fatal bar punch case

The trial for a man charged in the first of two fatal bar-punch cases at a St. Clair Shores establishment has been pushed back to February due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Andrew Werling, 35, is accused of punching and causing the death of Eric Hysell, 56, in May 2018 outside the rear door of Kapones Sports Tavern. Hysell died three days after the incident.

Werling is charged with involuntary manslaughter, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

A jury trial has been scheduled for Jan. 13 but Judge Julie Gatti of Macomb County Circuit Court on Monday postponed it to Feb. 16 because jury trials remain on hold at the courthouse under coronavirus restrictions.

Trials for early January already have been pushed back.

Gatti also scheduled a Jan. 28 “final pretrial” when she should know if jury trials will resume in February.

The case is somewhat similar to the more recent incident, nearly a year ago, in which Shawn Kubic was punched by Hatum Akrawi inside the Harper Avenue bar. Kubic, 46, of St. Clair Shores, fell, hit his head on the floor and died five days later.