Man pleads not guilty to manslaughter in fatal brawl
Before a packed courtroom, full of the friends and family of both the victim and the accused, Bryan McElhinney, 23, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the death of 45-year-old Brian Hingston, who was killed after a 30th birthday celebration on a party bus turned into a brawl.
On April 17, the passengers of the party bus were let out outside of Greenhill Bakery on Adams Street in Dorchester and a brawl quickly ensued, according to Assistant District Attorney Catherine Ham.
Neither McElhinney nor Hingston were involved in the initial dispute, but Hingston, a father of three from Quincy, tried to be a peacemaker, according to Ham.
Hingston “had his hands raised as if to stop a fight,” she said. At that point, McElhinney allegedly punched him. Hingston hit his head on the pavement and was pronounced dead at Boston Medical Center.
Ham said detectives interviewed 25 witnesses, many of whom also attended the previous celebration on the bus.
McElhinney’s attorney, Michael Doolin, said the prosecution has the story wrong. He said Hingston was preparing to attack the defendant.
“This is an individual who was absolutely acting in self defense,” said Doolin of his client, to which a man identified as Hingston’s relative shook his head.
McElhinney, a Dorchester resident who works as plasterer, was released on $2,500 cash bail. Clerk Magistrate Anne Kaczmarek also ordered that McElhinney, who is an American citizen but was raised in Ireland, surrender his passport, and remain in Massachusetts while his trial is pending.
“Brian Hingston was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend,” said Hingston’s family in a statement previously released to the Patriot Ledger. “His loss is unimaginable to all that knew and loved him. He was a gentleman who loved his family, loved to laugh, enjoyed traveling and music. Brian died a true hero as his organs were donated to save six lives.”
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