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Updated: 7:15 PM May 19, 2008
Prosecutor files reckless homicide charges against South Bank Bar aggressor
South Bend Police say James Muddiman Sr. was ushering patrons out of the South Bank Bar on Lincolnway East in South Bend when 27-year-old Joshua Kati assaulted him. Kati threw just one fatal punch. Posted: 9:53 PM May 17, 2008Reporter: Alana Greenfogel Email Address: Alana.Greenfogel@WNDU.com |
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"It was one punch."
Lisa Bartoszewicz was bartending at South Bank Bar on Lincolnway in South Bend Friday night. She says around three o'clock Saturday morning, the bar's security officer, James Muddiman Sr., was ushering folks to leave.
One patron, 27-year-old Joshua Kati, left and then tried to come back in. Doing his job, Muddiman wouldn't let him. That's when Kati threw just one punch. But one punch was enough to knock Muddiman to the ground, and after a day on life support, kill him.
"I came out on the floor and I tried to help him. I did CPR and we called an ambulance. And, it was just a really bad situation and we feel terrible about it," Bartoszewicz shares.
Bill Townsend was also at the bar that night.
"I hear a whole bunch of commotion and everyone starts running outside," Townsend says. "I didn't know really what happened but to find out really what happened is kind of scary."
"One punch. It depends where you get hit at, but one punch can do it for anybody," says Sarah Johnson who works nearby the bar. "It makes me reevaluate life. You can just walk into a grocery story or into a gas station and someone can be angry and punch you once. The next thing you know you don't make it."
Police arrested Joshua Kati, and he continues to be held behind bars in the St. Joseph County Jail. He has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated battery.
Muddiman was a security officer for Integrity Security as well as for IUSB security. It was his first night working at South Bank Bar. We are also told he was a Vietnam War veteran.
"Mr. Muddiman was doing his job," explains Captain Mike Grzegorek with Metro Homicide. "He was absolutely not involved in anything. He was doing his job when he was struck by someone for whatever reason. It's just a terrible, terrible tragedy."

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