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FRENCH CAMP-

A Manteca pastor accused of murder, which he says was in self defense, was released from jail Monday but his legal troubles are far from over.

Though his attorney posted Robert Cox’s bail in San Joaquin County last week, the pastor still had to spend the weekend in jail.

Cox is accused of killing Link Ellingson outside a Las Vegas sports bar nearly a year ago. Cox, and the Place of Refuge church interns he was with, maintain that Ellingson attacked them first. Investigators say that, during the fight, Ellingson fell back and hit his head on the concrete.

Ellingson died in December after months in a coma.

“It was really hard to explain to my children, what happened, because, you know, their dad was just gone,” Cox said. “They went to the dentist and their dad got arrested at the church and that’s all.”

The past week has been tough on Cox, his family and his church. But now, he and his wife are just happy to be back in each other’s arms.

“My wife is the best wife ever. I mean, she has fought for me,” Cox said.

Cox’s first day in court in Las Vegas will be Friday.