A Seal Beach man accused of involuntary manslaughter was released late Monday, Aug. 7, on $100,000 bail.
An Orange County Superior Court reduced bail this week in the case of a man who has been charged with causing the death of James Tinsman, another Seal Beach resident. Bail had originally been set at $250,000.
Matthew Meier, 32, of Seal Beach, pleaded not guilty last week to one count of involuntary manslaughter after punching a bar patron in the face, resulting in the victim’s death
. Meier also pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14.
Prosecutors have added a potential sentencing “enhancement” of causing great bodily injury; a coma or paralysis. Meier, through his attorney, denied the enhancement.
According to prosecutors, Meier could face a maximum penalty of nine years in state prison.
When the Seal Beach Police announced Meier’s arrest last week, they reported that Meier would be charged with assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, based on the evidence police gathered. However, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office was scheduled to charge with with involuntary manslaughter. The courthouse website confirmed that the arraignment was scheduled to be held at 10 a.m.
According to the DA’s Office, on July 18, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Meier is accused of socializing at a Seal Beach bar called Clancy’s, where he was also employed.
The defendant is accused of punching 46-year-old James Tinsman once in the face with a closed fist, causing the victim to lose consciousness, fall backwards, and strike his head on the pavement outside of the bar.Witnesses called 911 and emergency medical responders took the victim to a local hospital. Tinsman died later that day as a result of severe head trauma sustained during the assault.
In the early morning hours of Aug. 2, Meier was arrested by the Seal Beach Police Department, which investigated this case.
According to the DA’s Office, when a person commits an unlawful killing but does not intend to kill and does not act with conscious disregard for human life, then the crime is involuntary manslaughter. In this case, there is no evidence that defendant intended to kill the victim or was aware of the risk to human life caused by his act of punching the victim one time.
