Nikolenko’s autopsy showed he had a blood-alcohol level of nearly 0.26 percent. Gapanovitch’s level was measured at 0.29 percent at the hospital. The level at which someone is considered too intoxicated to drive in Virginia is 0.08.

Baugh said Hazelwood, 27, who was charged with manslaughter and malicious wounding, had a bruised lip, a bruised thumb, shoulder abrasions and scratches on his fingers.

“He has every reason to defend himself,” Baugh said. “And he did.”

Testimony indicated the argument began May 9 about 11:30 p.m. when the two Russians pulled their car into the valet parking area at Vanquish. The two men, apparently unaware that the valet service was no longer being staffed, waited for an attendant, and Hazelwood, who was behind them in his truck, grew impatient, and they exchanged words.

After they both parked, they ran into each other in the line that had formed to get into the club, and the words continued, with Nikolenko at one point slapping Hazelwood on the back of the head with an open hand. When Hazelwood left the club, the Russians followed.