A Fall River man has been indicted on a manslaughter charge stemming from a bar fight in which he is alleged to have punched another man who later died from a brain hemorrhage.

Brian Fraga Herald News Staff Reporter @BfragaHN

FALL RIVER — A Fall River man has been indicted on a manslaughter charge stemming from a bar fight in which he is alleged to have punched another man who later died from a brain hemorrhage.

Pholla Mao, 27, will be arraigned at a later date in Fall River Superior Court.  A Bristol County grand jury returned indictments against Mao on Thursday charging him with involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.

Authorities said Mao punched Bryce Sabol, 37, a Freetown resident, during an altercation outside the Belmont Club, 34 Franklin St., around 2 a.m. on Dec. 8, 2017.

Sabol was arguing with another individual when it is alleged that Mao approached from the side and punched Sabol once in the side of the head, according to the Bristol County District Attorneys office.

Sabol was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. According to police reports, Sabol regained consciousness and spoke with police officers and paramedics who arrived at the scene. Sabol was taken to Charlton Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Rhode Island Hospital, where he later became unresponsive.

Sabol suffered brain hemorrhaging and was declared dead the next day, prosecutors said.

According to prior witness testimony, Sabol had been acting belligerent and appeared to be intoxicated when he and another man exchanged words inside the bar just before closing time. The argument spilled outside, and Mao reportedly punched Sabol before leaving the scene. Mao's defense attorney said during a dangerousness hearing in December that Mao was defending his friends when he punched Sabol.

Email Brian Fraga at bfraga@heraldnews.com