A judge has ordered Andrew Phillip Restrepo, 34, to stand trial for the murder of Sean Ellis Glenn, 34, based on videotapes and witness testimony revealing the deadly impact of a single punch.
The decision was made on April 10 after a two-day hearing in San Diego Superior Court.
Restrepo, whose attorney Brandon Roesler argued that his client should only face manslaughter charges, claimed the incident captured on surveillance at a pizza shop could not have caused Glenn’s death due to one punch.
However, one witness described the punch thrown by Restrepo as a “Superman punch,” which resulted in Glenn’s head striking the pavement hard on May 10, 2023, at approximately 10:51 p.m.
Glenn never regained consciousness, lapsed into a coma, and ultimately died three months later from brain injuries sustained in the incident.
He was known to work in the computer industry.
Deputy District Attorney Jessica Sutterley presented tapes showing Restrepo, after leaving the scene of the incident, laughing, suggesting he was aware of the consequences of his actions.
In addition to the murder charges, Restrepo is also facing felony assault charges for an incident that occurred aboard an MTS bus in the Midway area.
Thirteen days after Glenn’s death, surveillance footage captured Restrepo yelling with no apparent reason and subsequently punching an elderly man, identified only as Mike.
The victim was treated at the scene, but he has since been unreachable by the District Attorney’s office.
Video evidence shows Glenn leaving the pizza shop shortly before the incident, where he inadvertently brushed against Restrepo, who entered just after him.
Numerous witnesses noted Glenn appeared intoxicated and did not realize he had brushed Restrepo.
Witnesses reported Restrepo approached Glenn after exiting the shop, asking, “Do you remember me?”
In response, Glenn said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” according to San Diego Police detective Steve Prats.
The video footage then shows Restrepo rapidly approaching Glenn and delivering a punch, causing Glenn to fall and strike his head on the pavement.
After the punch, Restrepo stared down at Glenn for approximately 15 seconds before walking away.
A young black man was seen in the footage appearing to panic and fleeing the scene.
Melyssa Brazil from the DA’s office testified that evidence gathered from Restrepo’s cellphone revealed he had taken a photo at the scene and shared it with approximately five individuals.
Brazil noted text messages between Restrepo and his cousin discussed the incident, in which Restrepo mentioned knocking someone out and even considering fleeing to Colombia.
One particular text stated, “I don’t stop hitting unconscious people,” and another claimed, “I love fighting big dudes.”
Prats stated that Restrepo told him Glenn had threatened his life before he punched him, alleging that Glenn shoved him into a table in the pizza shop.
Judge Lisa Rodriguez addressed Restrepo’s actions, noting Glenn’s blood alcohol level was .24, significantly over the felony limit, reflecting his vulnerable state at the time of the altercation.
Rodriguez characterized Restrepo’s behavior as targeted aggression, asserting that he had indeed sought out this fight.
The judge remarked, “He knows how to hurt somebody.
He brags about making people unconscious,” underscoring Restrepo’s awareness of the dangerous nature of his actions.
Having pleaded not guilty, Restrepo’s trial is set for April 22.
Currently, he remains in the South Bay Detention Facility with bail set at $2 million.
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