Judge to rule on one-punch killing Thursday

A former bouncer at a Crystal Lake bar near where a patron was killed with one punch described the blow in court Wednesday as "a knockout punch" that sent the man's eyes rolling back into his head and left him limp almost instantly.

Nicholas Danielson testified the man who threw the punch, Dustin Goy, then flexed his arms and said: "Do you want some of this?" before he and three friends left the area.

Danielson's testimony came as McHenry County prosecutors wrapped up their case against Goy, a 32-year-old Crystal Lake man facing an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the Sept. 8, 2007, altercation that left fellow Crystal Lake resident Anthony Carlsen dead.

McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather, who, at Goy's request, is deciding the case instead of a jury, said she will issue a verdict Thursday afternoon. To find Goy guilty, Prather would have to rule that he committed a reckless act that led to Carlsen's death.

Although prosecutors said Danielson's statements support allegations Goy sucker punched the 45-year-old victim when they came together during a ruckus outside the tavern, he also testified that, before the punch, Carlsen pushed down another man and then turned on Goy.

Goy claims he acted in self-defense.

After the punch, Carlsen fell back and struck his head on the pavement. He died a week later.

The trial came to an abrupt end Wednesday afternoon when Goy's defense rested its case after calling just one witness, a doctor who testified about the effects the alcohol and cocaine Carlsen had in his body at the time of his death might have had on his behavior.

"He's more likely to be aggressive because of the drugs," Dr. Gerald Leiken said, adding that the substances also would have made it difficult for Carlsen to brace himself during a fall.

During closing arguments, defense attorney Timothy Mahoney noted that even prosecution witnesses described Carlsen - who was five inches taller and 130 pounds heavier than Goy - walking after the defendant and his friends as they tried to leave the confrontation.

"Mr. Goy sees this man, 280 pounds, advancing on him," Mahoney said. "He acted in self-defense."

Prosecutors, however, said physical evidence shows Goy's punch hit Carlsen behind his left ear, indicating he never saw the blow coming.

"Mr. Carlsen stepped into a hornet's nest that night," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs said. "There was absolutely no justification for (Goy) to step in and give him a knockout punch."