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Beason's civil trial set to begin

Published May. 9, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday in the civil case against Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason, who is accused of punching a man in the face at a Charlotte strip club in 2009, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Alleged victim Gregory Frye claims the three-time Pro Bowler assaulted him in Nov. 2009 at the Uptown Cabaret after he told Beason's teammate, Dante Rosario, he had seen Beason "up at the lake doing coke with some girl."

Beason, 26, has denied both the assault claims and drug allegations.

"I think Mr. Frye is living in fantasyland if he thinks Jon Beason ever snorted cocaine," Beason's attorney, George Laughrun, told The Observer.

Criminal assault charges were dropped within two weeks of the alleged incident after prosecutors failed to find enough evidence to show Beason had punched Frye.

"Other than Mr. Frye's statement, police were not able to obtain evidence that Mr. Beason was the assailant," Assistant District Attorney Bruce Lillie said in a statement after the assault charge was dropped.

"Police made contact with numerous people who were in the club when the incident occurred. No one indicated they saw Beason strike Frye. No witnesses have come forward to say they saw Beason strike Frye," Lillie added.

Frye alleges Beason approached him at the club "in a noticeably angry manner, cursing and yelling at Frye about the cocaine statement."

The lawsuit claims Beason then punched Frye after he invited the Panthers' linebacker outside to talk.

According to The Observer, Frye claims the punch crushed his nasal cavity and that he suffered a facial fracture on the left side of his head.

Beason has countersued, claiming his good name has been damaged as a result of Frye's allegations.
 

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