Authorities will not file charges in the death of 22-year-old Scott Heinig, although they have ruled the death to be a homicide.  

Heinig, who was a beloved star baseball player for Davis High School and UC Davis, died after being punched in the neck by one of his friends during the evening hours of a party on Picnic Day. 

The Yolo County District Attorney’s office determined the death to be a homicide, because it was “caused by human hands,” but said that it does not meet the legal definition of murder.

“For individuals to be responsible for murder they must commit an act that causes death of another person with the necessary state of mind, intent to kill, and without lawful excuse or justification,” the District Attorney’s office said in a release.

An investigation revealed that Heinig was at a small party with many friends on the night of the accident. He and several other friends were standing in the driveway and talking while others waited inside.

“During this time Heinig was insisting that his friends punch him in the face,” the DA release said, noting that this was a common occurrence between the group of friends.

“While all of Heinig’s friends refused his initial requests, Heinig insisted that one of his friends strike him. When he was met with additional refusal, Heinig struck one of his friends in the face twice, and the friend hit Heinig one time in the face.”

That’s when Heinig stumbled backward and hit his head on the driveway.

The death was the result of blunt force to the head and neck. The coroner said that the punch to Heinig's neck caused an artery to rupture. The nature of the injury was described as rare and unusual.

Many of the people at the party had been drinking alcohol, according to the DA, including Heinig. 

The coordinated investigation by the Davis PD and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office and Coroner has determined the death to be the result of a tragic set of circumstances, but not criminal conduct warranting prosecution.