But when customer Mark McGrath shoved customer Richard Lunn off his bar stool Aug. 24, Stadtman used the flashlight to defend the frightened Lunn lying on the floor, said David Hayakawa, Stadtman's attorney.

Stadtman aimed for McGrath's shoulder but hit his neck, felling the legally drunk customer "who brought violence" into the neighborhood bar, Hayakawa said yesterday during opening statements in Stadtman's manslaughter trial.

McGrath, a 36-year-old sales engineer, died the following day at Tripler Hospital.

"Ronald Stadtman acted to protect an innocent man on the ground after he was viciously attacked out of the blue by the bully in the bar," Hayakawa said. "He is not guilty."

But Deputy Prosecutor Rom Trader said Stadtman, 41, hit McGrath on the head at D Coy's Sports Bar & Grill, causing a massive hemorrhage in his skull. He also said Stadtman probably didn't intend to kill McGrath, but characterized his behavior as reckless, which makes his offense manslaughter.

"This is not a case in which the defendant was justified or entitled to use the type of force he used in this case," Trader said. "In other words, his actions are not to be excused."

Punishment for manslaughter ranges from probation to 10 years in prison.

Hayakawa said McGrath had a blood-alcohol level of 0.293 percent, well beyond the legal limit, and had harassed a female customer earlier in the evening.

He said Julie Hayes said McGrath had an "edge" to him and that she left "solely because of this person."

Hayakawa also said that McGrath bought Lunn a glass of wine but became belligerent when Lunn wanted to leave.

He said McGrath called him a "wuss" and ordered him another glass.

He said Stadtman, who had worked as a bartender off and on for about 10 years, brought Lunn a glass of water because he knew he wanted to go home.

Hayakawa also said Stadtman reached for his security flashlight and offered to walk Lunn out to his car. He said Stadtman watched McGrath make "crazy faces" when Lunn turned away.

When McGrath shoved Lunn to the floor, Stadtman grabbed the flashlight, yelled "don't hit my customers" and swung once at McGrath. "He thinks: 'This guy is psycho, this guy is attacking my customers,' " Hayakawa said.

"He has to do something to protect them."

Trader said Stadtman had only worked at the bar a few weeks, but took matters in his own hands when he hit McGrath with the 20-inch long, 31/2-pound flashlight.

"He was doing something he shouldn't have done," he added.

Hayakawa said Stadtman twice called 911 for McGrath after the incident.

He also said customers tried to elevate McGrath but that he fell back, his head hitting the floor.

The trial, before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins, is expected to close Monday.