By Alicia CruzEditor-in-ChiefTheblackurbantimesCarolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason is out of jail after being arrested Monday on an aggravated assault charge.
After the Panthers' rallied against the Atlanta Falcons on November 15, Beason and others celebrated at the Charlotte Uptown Cabaret strip club. It is there that Gregory Frye alleges that Beason punched him during a confrontation.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say Frye reported the incident Nov. 16 but there wasn't enough probable cause to arrest the football player, according to Capt. Jeff Estes, commander of the Central Division. "We interviewed all the witnesses and looked at the club's videotape," Estes said. Why the arrest warrant was issued after this is not known.
Frye claims he suffered injuries to his nose and eye socket that may require reconstructive surgery. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office says Beason was arrested and then released from custody on a written promise to appear in court.
A copy of Beason's arrest warrant said probable cause was found that he "did unlawfully and willfully commit an assault and battery" on Frye "by punching the victim in the face with his fist, inflicting serious injuries," resulting in Frye sustaining a crushed naval cavity and swelling to his nose and eye area.
In a separate incident, court records show, Beason was cited Nov. 12 for reckless driving and unsafe passing and has a pending hearing.
Criminal and civil court records show that Frye has a history of criminal charges and civil complaints. In 2005, he sued a woman for assault, battery and medical costs. The records show the case was dismissed. Frye was later sued in 2006 by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority for $2,320 and then again in April 2009 $4,065 by Atlantic Credit and Finance, a collection agency.
In 2008, he was criminally charged with assaulting a female and writing a worthless check, both cases were dismissed. He also has numerous driving charges, and a larceny arrest that was dismissed.
Beason's attorney, George Laughrun, called Beason "disappointed" and added that "Jon is confidant in the system and confident that he'll clear his good name," said Laughrun. "That's not his nature to be violent off the field."
Panthers' general manager Marty Hurney released a statement, saying: "We were aware of the police department looking into the incident and have addressed it with Jon. At this time there appear to be two different versions of what happened."
Beason's arrest comes a day after he recorded a career-high 17 tackles in Carolina's 17-6 loss to the New York Jets.
Stay tuned to theblackurbantimes for future updates.
