St. Petersburg man charged with manslaughter in bar fight death, police say

ST. PETERSBURG — A St. Petersburg man has been charged with manslaughter after a man he punched in a February bar fight died of complications from his injuries, police said.

St. Petersburg police said Bobby Ryan, 39, and Christopher Motlenski, 53, were at Angelo's Grill and Bar on First Avenue N in downtown St. Petersburg on Feb. 10. They began arguing about 2:30 a.m. and took it outside, police said.

Ryan punched Motlenski in the head, police said. Motlenski fell and was knocked unconscious when his head hit the pavement. Video surveillance recorded the fight.

Motlenski was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg and was listed in critical but stable condition. He remained unconscious.

Ryan was arrested at home on an initial charge of felony battery, police said.

Motlenski of St. Petersburg died March 7 in hospice care at the hospital.

The Medical Examiner's Office said his death was a homicide. On Tuesday, the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office changed the charge to manslaughter.

According to Pinellas County Sheriff's Office records, Ryan posted bail in February.

"Chris has been a blessing to many, has helped anyone he could and will be forever loved," a GoFundMe page for the Motlenski family reads.