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ROSEVILLE — A Clinton Township man facing charges including second-degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing another man at Dooley’s Tavern in 2019 pleaded no contest to reduced charges in Macomb County Circuit Court Aug. 9.
Nolan Baca, 24, is facing sentencing next month on the reduced charges for allegedly shooting and killing Johnny Owczarski, of Harrison Township, at Dooley’s Tavern after an argument turned into a physical altercation in October 2019.
Originally, he was facing charges of second-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of felony firearm.
But at the scheduled time for his bench trial Aug. 9, instead of going to trial, Baca opted for a plea deal. He pleaded no contest to one count of felony firearm, one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and one count of involuntary manslaughter. The second-degree murder charge, assault with intent to murder charge, carrying a concealed weapon charge and one felony firearm charge were dismissed.
“It’s my understanding that the defendant is going to be pleading no contest,” said Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Corey Newman. “Counsel will accept that based on civil liability.”
According to court records, Baca agreed to a bench trial in October 2021. In a bench trial, evidence is presented to a judge who decides the case, instead of a jury.
The bench trial was scheduled to begin in February of this year, but due to his attorney being in another trial, it was adjourned until April. It was then canceled, and a pretrial was held in May.
The pretrial resulted in a second bench trial being scheduled to begin Aug. 9.
The court treats a no-contest plea the same as a guilty plea, said Circuit Court Judge James Maceroni.
“We’ve had an opportunity not only to discuss this with Mr. Baca several times before coming in here this afternoon, but also with family, answer questions. … After all those discussions, Mr. Baca would like to avail himself of the offer,” said Nicole Castka, who served as co-counsel to Baca.
A sentencing agreement also was reached. Baca faces two years in the Michigan Department of Corrections on the felony firearm charge, which will be served consecutively with three to 15 years for the added manslaughter charge.
“It was a tragic event,” said Scott Weinberg, who also served as co-counsel for Baca. “My client still felt like he was defending himself after he was attacked by the decedent, (Owczarski), and (Owczarski’s brother-in-law). It was an unprovoked attack, and while he was defending himself, he realizes that he shouldn’t have had a loaded gun and he took responsibility for his actions.”
Dooley’s permanently closed after another fatal shooting took place at the bar in February. A man who worked as a bouncer at the bar, Julius Bing, was killed.
Baca is scheduled to be sentenced by Maceroni at 9 a.m. Sept. 28.
Contact Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637 or bwells@candgnews.com.
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