Jury Acquits Bourbon St. Bouncer in Manslaughter Case

A jury voted 10-2 in favor of acquitting a 43-year-old New Orleans bouncer of manslaughter in the 2004 death of an out-of-town college student.

The Incident

Arthur Irons was the first of three other bouncers to go to trial in the case of Levon Jones, a student at Georgia Southern University who was in town for a flag football tournament. Jones died after a confrontation with the bouncers at Razzoo Bar & Patio on New Year’s Eve.

The confrontation reportedly occurred after two of Jones’ friends were denied entrance to the bar over the dress code. According to witnesses, Jones suckered-punched Irons and was then pinned down by four bouncers on the sidewalk.

Manslaughter Defense

The coroner determined that Jones died of asphyxiation, but defense attorney Ralph Whalen argued that Jones died of cardiac arrest because of a heart condition. Whalen also cited Jones’ blood alcohol level, which was nearly twice the state’s legal limit.

Manslaughter carries a prison term of up to 40 years. The trial lasted four days and the jury deliberated for about an hour before reaching the verdict.

(Source: Associated Press)

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