The man who fatally punched a New Hope bar patron pleaded guilty to manslaughter Tuesday.
Daniele Wright, 27, admitted in court that he had been drinking heavily the night he punched 36-year-old John Hillstrom outside Outtakes Bar and Grill in New Hope. He acknowledged the drinking did not excuse his actions.
He is expected to receive a six-year term at his sentencing Dec. 7.
Hillstrom was at the bar with his friends on June 13, 2014. Shortly after closing time, he argued with two men. The bartender told Hillstrom to go back into the bar to allow the other men to leave, according to the criminal complaint.
However, the men came back to where Hillstrom was standing with the bartender and one punched him in the face, knocking him down. He got back on his feet, but Wright punched him. Hillstrom fell and hit his head on the pavement. He died five months later.
DAVID CHANEN
