Doctor in one-punch death trial: Victim 'unconscious before he hit ground'
The neurosurgeon who treated Ryan Flannigan, felled by what authorities called a "sucker punch" outside a bar last year, testified Wednesday that the Palatine man likely was "unconscious before he hit the ground."
Prosecutors say Michael Platt delivered the fatal blow about 11:30 p.m. July 18, outside Pop's Bar and Grill in Palatine, after Flannigan, 26, intervened to defuse a heated exchange between a female acquaintance and a friend of Platt's.
The woman was among several people outside the bar attempting to calm one of their friends who witnesses said had been asked to leave the bar after he became disruptive. Testifying for the prosecution, Flannigan's friends say Platt approached Flannigan from his blindside and punched him in his left temple, knocking him to the ground and causing him to strike his head.
Flannigan died 10 days later without regaining consciousness. Platt, 36, was charged with first-degree murder, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 60 years upon conviction. Defense attorneys say their client acted as he did because he feared his friend, a double amputee who uses prosthetic legs, was in danger.
Dr. John Ruge, an associate professor at Rush Medical College and chief of pediatric neurosurgery of the Advocate Medical Group, testified Flannigan suffered damage to his brain, including two subdural hematomas: one on the left side of his head which prosecutors say resulted from Platt's fist and one on the right, which he received when his head struck the pavement. Flannigan also suffered cranial fractures, swelling of the brain and a broken nose - all of which "would indicate significant impact" and were consistent with a blow to the head, Ruge said.
"This was a severe head injury," said Ruge. "The magnitude of this injury was such that he had no purposeful movement on his right side and minimal movement on his left side."
Ruge acknowledged Flannigan had a blood alcohol content of .235, which he described as "very intoxicated." Under cross examination from defense attorney Sam Amirante, Ruge testified it could affect balance, reaction time and judgment.
Testimony in Platt's trial continues Thursday.