Derrick Dykas’ one punch ended Matt Hockey’s life — and could end his own for up to five years.
Derrick Dykas, the 24-year-old poster boy for why bar fights can be a bad idea, was indicted on this week in Cuyahoga County Court, on one count of involuntary manslaughter.
Last month, Dykas punched Lakewood resident Matthew Hockey outside of Johnny Malloy’s just after last call. Hockey declined to go to the hospital, instead heading home to sleep it off. Two days later, on Easter morning, his father found Hockey dead in his apartment.
Jean Verlotti, Hockey’s mom, tells C-Notes she hopes “the courts do us right.” Dykas will be arraigned on May 6th. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.
To read Scene’s story about Hockey’s death, click here. — Caleb Hannan
This article appears in Apr 7-13, 2010.
I think that Dykas needs to get the maximum. If he got drunk and then got in his car and drove and hit somebody and killed him he would be in prison. Just because they were in a parking lot Dykas sucker punched Matt and killed him. So I don’t care were you are if you are drunk and cause someone to die you should go to prison. People need to take responsibility for there actions.
Acording to several other articles, Matt was waiting outside the bar to confront Derrick. Sounds as though Matt is not the ‘introvert’ his friends say he was. He started this fight and a horrible accident happened. Don’t try to throw the blame on Derrick because Matt started this.
“Don’t try to throw the blame on Derrick because Matt started this.”
Are you kidding me? What punch did Matt throw – oh wait he didn’t did he?
Just cause he didn’t throw the first punch doesnt mean he wouldn’t have.People have to realize that it doesn’t mean that Derrick started this just because Matt lost his life.
Actually it does. Two adults can argue, sling insults and foul language but once violent acts are committed it becomes a crime. “Waiting for someone” means nothing. The evidence shows a punch to the back of his head. The facts are evident.