Man dies after fight

By John Grant Emeigh Of The Montana Standard - 07/22/2008

The cause of death of a Butte man who died hours after being involved in a fight early Sunday is “leaning” toward a prior medical condition, according to Butte Coroner Lee LaBreche.

Robert Barry, 58, died Sunday after a fight with another man outside the Corner Bar at 501 S. Montana St., LaBreche said. An autopsy was conducted Monday to determine if Barry died from injuries sustained in the altercation or from a past medical condition.

LaBreche said initial results appear to indicate that Barry may have died from a prior heart condition. However, the state medical examiner’s office in Missoula is awaiting a toxicology report which could take several weeks to complete.

Butte-Silver Bow police reported the victim was involved in an altercation with another man outside the bar sometime after midnight Saturday. The victim was taken to St. James HealthCare, where he was pronounced dead sometime around noon Sunday.

The victim’s body was taken to Missoula for an autopsy.

Butte Sheriff John Walsh said the incident is under investigation and no charges have been filed.

Police arrested a man suspected of being involved in the fight with Barry Sunday morning and placed him on a 24-hour investigative hold. The man was arrested later that afternoon and no charges have been filed against him.

Walsh didn’t release the man’s name since he wasn’t charged.

John Emeigh may be reached at john.emeigh@lee.net.