BALDWIN — Police say Mark Thompson died after trying to break up a brawl at the Loose Moose Saloon in Baldwin in July.
Zachary Blake is charged with Thompson’s murder.
“Originally this case was charged as an aggravated assault out of the magistrate in Baldwin,” said Casey White, Blake’s attorney.
White said they have a solid defense, and he has already interviewed the main witness in the case. On Friday morning, he waived the preliminary hearing and case is now heading to trial.
“We know what they are going to say, we know their angle is and we are confident in our position that this was self-defense and a defense of others case,” White said.
But according to court paperwork, after police tracked Blake’s car that night, he was overheard saying. “I don’t start fights, I finish them.”
White told Channel 11 that Thompson was much larger than his client, and he believes no excessive force was used.
“We are confident he will be released on home electronic monitoring in the very near future,” White said.
Blake will be back in court for his formal arraignment next month.
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