Guilty Plea In Bar Fight That Led To Death

STILLWATER (AP) - A Stillwater man has dropped his claim of self-defense and has pleaded guilty to assaulting a man who later died of head injuries.

Eric Richard II appeared in Washington County District Court Monday where he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree assault. Richard was initially charged with manslaughter and second-degree murder without intent in the death of Adam McCloud. The two had argued at Smalley's Caribbean bar in Stillwater last September.

Prosecutors say Richard punched McCloud, causing him to fall, hit his head and fracture his skull. McCloud also fell out of bed while he at Regions Hospital and medical examiners were unable to determine which head injury caused his death. McCloud died in October after suffering a series of strokes.

Richard will be sentenced Dec. 10.