More details emerged Wednesday in court regarding the death of Bradley Bunger, who was punched early Feb. 22 at Dolphie’s Lounge on Scottsville Road.

Timmy Ray Cowles, 36, of Bowling Green, has been charged with reckless homicide, having been accused of throwing the punch that caused the death of Bunger, 42, two days later.

Cowles appeared Wednesday in Warren District Court for a preliminary hearing, at which Detective Jess Parry of the Bowling Green Police Department gave testimony.

Answering questions from Warren County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Daniel “Tres” Miller, Parry said she responded to a call regarding an assault at the bar and was able to review surveillance video footage from the business.

The detective said she learned from witnesses that Bunger and his girlfriend had been part of a group of friends at Dolphie’s and that Bunger had gotten intoxicated to the point that he was asked to leave the bar, and that his girlfriend was able to get him out of the business.

Bunger’s girlfriend then reportedly drove back to the bar to retrieve her cellphone that she had left behind, and Bunger also attempted to re-enter the business, Parry said.

Parry testified that David Keown ordered Bunger to leave the business and that Cowles appeared behind Keown to assist.

Video footage from the business showed Cowles walking Bunger backward out of the bar and grabbing onto Bunger’s clothing with both hands just outside the front door, with Bunger making a sweeping motion with his right hand that caused Cowles’ left hand to lose his grip on Bunger’s shirt, Parry said.

Cowles then punches Bunger’s face with his left hand, according to court records.

“Immediately, (Bunger’s) face appears to go slack, he falls back and hits his head on the pavement,” Parry said Wednesday.

Bunger was pronounced dead on Feb. 24 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Parry said that a medical examiner noted Bunger had facial and skull fractures.

Cowles left the business soon after the incident, and Parry said detectives attempting to locate him in the subsequent hours could not find his vehicle at addresses associated with him.

The detective said that Dolphie’s did not employ security, but instead relied on regular customers to maintain order.

According to an arrest warrant, Cowles had been drinking as a patron that night and had offered to help Keown because he had prior history working as a bouncer at other bars.

BGPD Detective Ryan Dillon was able to make contact with Cowles through a third party, and Parry said Cowles confirmed to Dillon that he had been at Dolphie’s.

“(Cowles) gave some varying statements to Dillon,” Parry said. “Cowles said he thought (Bunger) was getting ready to swing at him.”

Cowles’ attorney, Brian Lowder, cross-examined Parry, asking her whether it would have been reasonable for Cowles to have used force if he perceived a threat.

“From what I observed, there was no threat to Mr. Cowles,” Parry said.

The detective responded to a later question from Lowder that, from her standpoint, the video footage showed nothing to warrant Bunger being punched by Cowles, who turned himself in to authorities on Feb. 25 and was booked that day into Warren County Regional Jail.

At the end of Wednesday’s hearing, Warren District Judge Brent Potter bound the case over to the grand jury and kept Cowles’ bond at $50,000 cash.

Reckless homicide is a Class D felony punishable in Kentucky by 1-5 years in prison.