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Trial set in case of deadly bar fight

VISTA — An Oceanside man accused of striking a deadly blow to William Hoyle’s head outside of a bar on South Coast Highway in September will stand trial for murder, according to a judge’s ruling on Oct. 27
Bruce Erwin Hamil, 35, is accused of killing Hoyle, 53, by punching him in the face, which caused Hoyle to hit the ground and lose consciousness.
Hoyle died two days later, according to the Oceanside Police Department. At the preliminary hearing, according to the North County Times, Deputy District Attorney Jodi Breton said that Hamil’s blow was so powerful that it ruptured an artery in Hoyle’s brain. She said Hamil had also been responsible, at least twice, for sending people to the hospital by using his fists.
According to court documents, Hamil has a prior arrest from 1998 for an assault with a deadly weapon charge for which he was ordered six months in jail and three years felony probation.
The North County Times also reported defense attorney James Boyd’s argument that Hamil’s actions did not qualify as murder, because Hamil did not have an intent to kill, or think that a single blow would be deadly.
According to reports and court documents, Superior Court Judge Timothy Casserly found enough evidence for Hamil to stand trial for murder.
The jury trial is set for Nov. 29
Hamil remains in the Vista Detention Facility in lieu of $1,015,000 bail.
In addition to the $1 million bail imposed for the first-degree murder charge, the $15,000 bail amount is for a DUI charge that turned into a warrant Nov. 20, 2009 when Hamil failed to provide proof of service for completing a court-ordered alcohol program, according to court records.