A Venice man once charged with killing a Santa Monica bar manager is suing Los Angeles County and the City of Santa Monica, alleging he was maliciously prosecuted.
Leonard Hector Korpie, 28, filed the civil lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court on Aug. 29, seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. The suit alleges malicious prosecution, civil rights violations and defamation, MyNewsLA reported.
The case stems from the June 12, 2024, death of Jaysent Clark, 50, who managed Jameson's Pub in Santa Monica. Clark died a day after a physical confrontation with Korpie, according to MyNewsLA. The confrontation occurred shortly after Korpie and two other men were ordered to leave the bar.
Police and the defense offered conflicting accounts. Santa Monica police said Korpie punched Clark. Korpie's criminal defense attorney, Adam M. Koppekin, said his client shoved Clark after the bar manager punched Korpie in the head. Korpie denied throwing any punches.
Korpie was initially charged with murder. At a September 2024 hearing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Solorzano reduced the charge to voluntary manslaughter, finding sufficient evidence for trial on the lesser offense. In September 2025, prosecutors announced they were unable to proceed, and the case was dismissed, Patch reported.
The lawsuit also targets the City of Santa Monica over a statement a Santa Monica Police Department lieutenant made after Korpie's arrest. According to the suit, the lieutenant described the incident as a tragic example of how alcohol involvement can turn a minor situation into a life-changing event affecting many lives. Korpie alleges the statement was defamatory. The lieutenant is not identified by name in available reports.
Koppekin, who represented Korpie in the criminal case, said the county medical examiner's office determined Clark had pre-existing medical issues. Koppekin characterized the cause of death as "the result of a cardiac arrhythmia due to the effects of an altercation, which induced a dysfunction on a heart affected by the chronic effects of atherosclerosis."
"I truly believe he did nothing wrong," Koppekin told MyNewsLA. "I do believe that justice has finally prevailed."
No responses from the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Police Department or the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office appeared in available reports. Judge Bradley S. Phillips has scheduled a case management conference for Feb. 26, 2027.
