Jon Beason’s civil trial stemming from strip club attack begins

A civil lawsuit against Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason(notes) will begin today as a man seeks damages for allegedly being sucker-punched at a strip club in 2009.

The Charlotte Observer reports selection for a jury trial will begin today in Gregory Frye’s lawsuit against Beason, who has denied assaulting the man at Uptown Cabaret.

Frye alleges that Beason punched him in the face after he told Panthers tight end Dante Rosario(notes) that he had seen Beason and a woman doing cocaine previously. Beason was arrested and charged with the attack but the charge was quickly dismissed as prosecutors said there was not sufficient evidence to proceed.

“Other than Mr. Frye's statement, police were not able to obtain evidence that Mr. Beason was the assailant,” Assistant District Attorney Bruce Lillie wrote, per the report.

Frye claims Beason angrily came at him in the club to dispute the cocaine allegation. When they went outside to discuss the matter, according to Frye, Beason decked him. Frye suffered a crushed nasal cavity, facial fracture and swelling on his head.

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(sports.yahoo.com)