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Although the strange attire that Leelund Turner was wearing was an invitation for derision from bystanders it was not an invitation to people to come up close to him and tease or harass him

Both groups visited Bud’s Bar that evening, although the judge noted there was no evidence the two groups interacted while inside the bar.

At the end of the evening around 2 a.m., the ball-and-chain was re-attached to Turner, after it had earlier been taken off while the group were inside the bar. Turner and his brother began walking back to their rental home, with the rest of the group following at a distance.

Robinson was also leaving the bar and came up behind Turner on the other side of the street. He crossed the street and stepped in front of Turner, “saying disparaging things” about Turner’s outfit for the evening.

He also “told him that his life was over, presumably a reference to the fact that he was getting married,” wrote Justice Jon S. Sigurdson in his decision.

“Leelund Turner responded that he loved his wife and it was good that he was getting married.”

At that point, the interaction escalated and it’s believed Turner pushed Robinson, causing him to fall. Robinson tumbled off the elevated sidewalk and hit his head on the ground, knocking him unconscious.

The judge noted that while there was provocation, Turner was still mostly responsible for the injuries sustained by Robinson. Robinson was considered partly responsible for the altercation.

Leelund Turner responded that he loved his wife and it was good that he was getting married

“Although the strange attire that Leelund Turner was wearing was an invitation for derision from bystanders it was not an invitation to people to come up close to him and tease or harass him,” the judge wrote. “The plaintiff was told by Leelund Turner to go away but the teasing by the plaintiff I find continued.”