A former bouncer was convicted of manslaughter but acquitted of third-degree murder after he punched a man to death outside of an LGBTQ+ bar and lounge in Center City four years ago. On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, a jury found 27-year-old Kenneth Frye guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of Eric Pope. Frye was acquitted of a third-degree murder charge, according to NBC10’s newsgathering partner KYW Newsradio. “This is a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of life,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “A Philadelphia jury held Defendant Frye accountable for his crimes in no small part due to the expert prosecution of Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski of our Homicide and Non-Fatal Shooting Unit and the hard work of our law enforcement partners.” Deadly punch outside Tabu Center City Aug 1, 2024 Court rules to reinstate murder charge in 2022 killing of man outside Center City LGBTQ bar Philadelphia Apr 28, 2022 Bouncer Surrenders After Allegedly Killing Man With Punch, Cops Say Philadelphia Apr 27, 2022 Bouncer to Be Charged With Murder for Allegedly Killing Man With Punch, Cops Say Philadelphia Apr 27, 2022 Loved Ones Mourn Man Who Died After Police Say He Was Punched by a Bouncer On April 16, 2022, shortly before 1 a.m., Eric Pope, 41, was escorted out of Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar on South 12th Street in Philadelphia’s “gayborhood” due to his intoxication levels. Frye, who worked as a bouncer at the lounge and was contracted through a private security company, approached Pope and punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious. Pope fell backwards and hit his head on the ground. He was taken to Jefferson University Hospital where he died days later from blunt impact injuries to his head. Images of Eric Pope shared during a memorial held shortly after he died in 2022. Frye was initially charged with third-degree murder. In 2022, the court threw out the third-degree murder charge. Krasner’s office appealed that ruling in January 2023, however, and the third-degree murder charge was reinstated in August 2024. Ultimately, however, Frye was found not guilty of third-degree murder and guilty of involuntary manslaughter. “We acknowledge the harm that this act caused the Philadelphia LGBTQIA+ community,” Kelly Burkhardt, the DAO’s LGBTQIA+ Liaison and Victim Witness Coordinator, said. “This conviction is a vital step towards healing and sends a message that violence against the community will not be tolerated.”  Frye’s sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2026. ...read more read less