A 35-year-old California youth pastor has been charged with murder after getting into a fight with a man outside a Las Vegas sports bar that resulted in the man's death.
Robert Cox is accused of causing the 2013 death of 55-year-old Link Ellingson when they began fighting in the bar's parking lot in June, ABC News reported. The two reportedly fell and Ellingson hit his head on the pavement, causing Ellingson to fall into a coma. He died six months later in December.
San Joaquin County police arrested Cox last Tuesday. He was released Monday on $100,000 bail.
The incident began when Cox, who was leading a church trip, was with a dinner party outside the bar. Kelli Lane, who was with the group, said Ellingson accosted them.
"He said, 'Hey girlfriend, you want to 'F' with me?' And Rob was immediately like, 'Oh my gosh no,' backed up, 'I have kids here,' said no. And the man said, 'Well I'm coming to 'F' with you,' " Lane told KTXL-TV.
Elligton then attacked Cox's group. The pastor tried pushing Ellington back to stop him when he fell to the ground.
"Our pastor Rob defended his family and he acted in self-defense and really saved my life," Lane told ABC News.
But the damage inflicted to the victim's body was apparently so severe that the coroner ruled the death a homicide. Police say Cox, who has no criminal record, lied when he said Ellingson fell and that Cox punched him, UPI.com reported.
Prosecutors say Cox attacked the victim "with premeditation and deliberation...punching...Link Ellingson in the face," ABC News reported.
The pastor's wife, Julie Cox, maintains that even though her husband suffered a broken finger, no punch was thrown. She said the police report is inaccurate, UPI.com reported.
"I believe wholeheartedly that my husband is innocent," Julie Cox told ABC News.
