LAS VEGAS — The wife of a Florida high school football coach being held on a murder charge said Friday her husband was defending himself when he threw a single punch that authorities say killed a Utah man in a Las Vegas Strip casino.

Benjamin Hawkins, 37, pleaded not guilty Friday during a brief appearance before a Las Vegas judge. The judge scheduled a Tuesday bail hearing and set a July 21 date to hear evidence in the early Wednesday slaying of John Massie, 46, of Roy, Utah.

Defense attorney Jack Buchanan said he wanted to review security videotapes that police say clearly show the confrontation between Benjamin Hawkins and Massey after the two exited a men’s restroom at O’Sheas Las Vegas Casino, along with the single punch that felled Massie.

Benjamin Hawkins told police that Massie made a comment about a “black man in a yellow shirt” in the restroom. He also said he told Massie to shut up before the two men squared off.

Massie’s actions were aggressive, and he feared that if he turned his back on Massie, he’d be attacked from behind. Benjamin Hawkins whirled and punched Massie once in the jaw, according to a police report.