Man Once Charged in Bar Manager's Death Sues Santa Monica

The suit alleges police pursued a murder case with no probable cause

By Holly Bieler · September 9, 2026 · Santa Monica

A Venice man once charged with murder in the death of a Santa Monica bar manager is now suing the city, Los Angeles County and the state of California, alleging malicious prosecution, civil rights violations and defamation, [the Santa Monica Daily Press is reporting](https://www.smdp.com/man-accused-of-killing-jamesons-manager-is-now-suing-santa-monica-and-the-police-department/).

Leonard Korpie filed the complaint in August, seeking economic, non-economic and punitive damages, according to court records. The case is separate from a wrongful death lawsuit still pending against him in Santa Monica.

The dispute stems from a June 2024 altercation outside Jameson's Irish Pub on Main Street. Korpie says he was a patron who complied when asked to leave, then was assaulted on the sidewalk by the pub's manager, Jaysent Clark, and used only reasonable force to defend himself.

Police told a different story at the time, saying a fight broke out after Clark asked Korpie and others to leave, and that Korpie punched Clark on the street, knocking him unconscious. Clark later died at a hospital. Three patrons were initially arrested, but only Korpie was charged with murder.

A judge later reduced the charge to voluntary manslaughter, and prosecutors announced last year they could not proceed with the case. It was formally dismissed in September 2025, and by this May had been sealed and expunged from Korpie's record, according to his complaint.

Korpie now alleges the agencies pursued the prosecution without probable cause and ignored video footage and multiple witnesses supporting his claim of self-defense. The suit also accuses a Santa Monica police lieutenant of defaming him in public comments that described the incident as a single punch that likely caused Clark to hit his head.

Meanwhile, a wrongful death suit filed by Clark's siblings against Korpie and the pub's corporate owners continues to move through Santa Monica Superior Court, with hearings set for November.