A former Halifax bouncer on trial for manslaughter has taken the stand in his own defence.

Alexander Pishori Levy, 41, is charged with criminal negligence causing death and manslaughter in the death of Ryan Sawyer, 31.

At the time, Levy was employed as security staff at the Halifax Alehouse bar in downtown Halifax.

Levy told the judge-only trial on Wednesday that his security training taught him that using the “rear naked choke” was a safer way to get an altercation under control, rather than throwing punches.

Levy estimates during his 18-year career in security that he used the chokehold around 100 times and never encountered a problem.

He was working as the head of security at the now-closed Halifax Alehouse on Dec. 24, 2022. He told the court he had an “uncomfortable” encounter

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