Witness: I punched defendant in UK tourist slaying

MAYS LANDING, N.J. – A Mexican national has admitted he punched a New Jersey man, setting off a chase that resulted in the stabbing death of one of Britain's most eligible bachelors.

Mario Chavez testified Thursday that he punched Robert Davies after he claimed Davies hurled an anti-Mexican insult at him in the restroom of a Jersey shore bar in August 2007.

When Davies gave chase, British tourist Lavern Paul Ritch ran up to Davies, seeking to help him, but was stabbed in the chest.

Davies is on trial on murder and weapons charges. He acknowledges stabbing Ritch but says he acted in self-defense. He says he thought Ritch was part of a group of Mexicans intent on hurting or killing him.

Chavez denies a group was chasing Davies, claiming it was "just me" who was angry with him.