Suspect in fatal Durham bar fight has history of assault charges

Daniel Peter Mohar, 34, was being held without bond pending an initial court appearance on Wednesday.

Family members said Teddy Tivnan, 49, died at Duke University Hospital on June 7.

Police say Mohar hit Tivnan, knocking him to the ground, where he hit his head on the pavement. When police arrived, they found Tivnan unconscious on a sidewalk.

Mark Cromwell, owner of the bar, called the clash between the two men "a random one-off incident." But Mohar has a history of fighting, according to court records.

Since 2006, at least seven assault charges, including assault on a female, assault by strangulation and assault inflicting serious bodily injury, have been dismissed in Durham and Orange counties, records show.

Mohar's only convictions include assault with a deadly weapon in 2011, trespass in 2013 and drunk and disorderly conduct in 2006, according to state Department of Public Safety records. All three were misdemeanor offenses, and he was placed on probation each time, records show.

A person who accused Mohar of assault in another downtown Durham incident later had to undergo two facial reconstruction surgeries.

"I was trying to get a conviction so that the next guy wouldn’t be assaulted," the victim said Tuesday. "It was incredibly frustrating and infuriating [that the charges were dropped], and I hold the DA personally responsible for that, and I hold the DA responsible for, partially responsible for, this man’s death."

The Durham County District Attorney's Office declined to comment on the dismissals, noting that those cases were handled under former DAs.

Tivnan's family owns a salon on Erwin Road, and they said he often visited and made friends with nearby business owners and workers.

"This is the worst loss I have ever seen in my life," said Debbi Morse, of Enzo's Pizza. "I'm 62 years old. I've lost a lot of people. He did not deserve that. [He was the] most incredible man I've ever met in my entire life."

Enzo's catered Tivnan's wake because of his relationship with everyone there, Morse said.

"I couldn’t believe how many people showed up, but I do believe it because of the kind of man that he was – kind, considerate, loving guy," she said.

Nolan Truong, of Allure Nail Spa, said he was with Tivnan in the hospital when he died.

"I don’t feel sad very often, but it really hit me when I went to the hospital. It’s a tragedy," Truong said. "I wish in my life I would know someone like him again, but I doubt it because he’s a rare species, really."

Tivnan even befriended Truong's father, despite a language barrier between them, Truong said.

"He just walked into a door, acted like he know everybody, which, that’s how he is," he said. "Last couple days, when the door opens, I sometimes, I wish it was him."

Tivnan, who would have turned 50 on Thursday, is survived by three daughters.

Police have asked that anyone who witnessed the altercation at Social Games and Brews call investigators at 919-560-4440, extension 28335, or Crime Stoppers at 919-683-1200.