A New Hampshire man faces up to life in prison after killing another man outside a popular Manchester bar.
John DeLee, 22, is facing two counts of second-degree murder and one count of reckless conduct for the death of Timothy Pouliot, 24.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 28, 2023, DeLee and Pouliot got into a verbal altercation inside The Goat Bar and Grill.
John DeLee (Manchester Police Department) Timothy Pouliot (Lambert Funeral Home)
According to court documents, on the night of the alleged crime, DeLee and Pouliot were at the bar with their own friend groups. Tensions grew between the two groups after someone from Pouliot’s group allegedly “got a little too close” to one of the women in DeLee’s group.
Pouliot was later heard saying he could punch out DeLee in “one punch” because he “was a professional fighter” — and he was going to punch out DeLee by the end of the night. When DeLee was notified about Pouliot’s comments, DeLee allegedly flashed a gun and said “I’m not worried, I have protection,” according to investigators.
Eventually, both friend groups left the bar. A video then showed DeLee standing on the sidewalk outside The Goat with his friends. Moments later, one of Pouliot’s friends is spotted going up to DeLee. The two exchanged a few words before DeLee punched the friend in the face. Another one of Pouliot’s friends then approached the brawl and can be seen pointing what appears to be pepper spray at DeLee. DeLee allegedly then pulled out a gun, and it fell on the ground, he picked it up, and “racked it.” After this — Pouliot’s friends backed off and the two groups separated.
Cellphone video later captured the groups approaching each other again. The video showed Pouliot punching DeLee in the face. Then, according to court documents, DeLee raised his gun and fired off multiple shots at Pouliot.
DeLee was arrested shortly after the altercation. Court documents show he made several admissions to police, stating “those kids tried to fight us for some reason” and “I can’t believe I just f—– up everything.” He also allegedly asked investigators, “Is there some legal defense to getting punched in the face? I just reacted.”
The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office confirmed Pouliot’s cause of death was from multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death was homicide. Pouliot was shot nine times.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin Tuesday.
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