Key Witness In Nightclub Bouncer's Trial Testifies

The Tulsa County DA is still presenting it's case against Jason Nicholson, the man accused of punching Scott Bolton in a downtown Tulsa parking garage, a blow police say resulted in his death. The

Tuesday, February 27th 2007, 10:36 am

By: News On 6

The Tulsa County DA is still presenting it's case against Jason Nicholson, the man accused of punching Scott Bolton in a downtown Tulsa parking garage, a blow police say resulted in his death. The News on 6's Heather Lewin reports a key witness in the manslaughter trial took the stand on Tuesday.

Prosecutors called Doug Johnson to the stand on Tuesday. Officials say on the night of the fight he was standing just a few feet away with a clear view of what happened in the parking garage.

Johnson is a long-time friend of the defendant. He was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony. Johnson said he went to the garage with Nicholson and two others to be sure that a potential fight between a club bouncer and Scott Bolton's extremely intoxicated friend would be fair. But when the blow was struck that knocked Bolton to the ground, Johnson said he was not paying attention, saying he was looking the other way, although in still photos of the surveillance tape he appeared to be facing forward.

The testimony seemed to take prosecutors by surprise, DA Tim Harris asked quote, "Are you telling this jury, under oath, that you never saw Scott Bolton lying on the ground in that parking garage?"

Johnson responded, "That's right."

Another prosecution witness, Bolton's friend, testified on Tuesday that he was standing near the victim, but was too drunk to remember who hit him. So far several witnesses have placed Nicholson, a former professional boxer at the scene, but none testified they saw him throw a punch.

Tulsa Police say Nicholson and another bouncer followed Bolton and a friend to the parking garage. Nicholson is accused of punching Bolton, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. Bolton died five days later.