Trial begins for man charged with punching, killing Delafield man over tattoos
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) – Trial began Tuesday, July 30 for a man charged with punching another man at a bar in Waukesha County.
The victim later died, and witnesses said it all started with an argument about tattoos.
Sixty-five-year-old Kevin Sehmer is charged with felony murder by battery in the death of 39-year-old Josh Davies on June 17, 2023.
According to the criminal complaint, Davies was out with his wife and friends at Tabi's Wine Bar in Hartland, When Sehmer approached him.
Witnesses say Sehmer criticized Davies' tattoos and told him he was going to hell.
They say he then followed Davies outside and punched him in the head, causing him to lose consciousness.
Davies later died after 26 days in the hospital and three surgeries.
"This defendant violently attacked Josh Davies that night, hit Josh, causing Josh to drop to the ground, hit his head on the concrete, and ultimately led to his death," said prosecuting attorney Melissa Zilavy.
Sehmer pleaded not guilty to felony murder last September.
The defense argues Davies fell, and Sehmer was defending himself, as security video shows Davies picking up a metal stool.
"This case is about somebody trying to hit my client with a stool, and my client stopping this person from doing so by stopping the momentum of the stool as it came rushing towards him," said attorney John Schiro.
The state called a police witness to the stand Tuesday.
More will be called Wednesday by both the prosecution and defense.
The trial is expected to run through Friday, Aug. 2.