Assault case begins for Panthers' Beason

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 9 (UPI) -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason is beginning a civil trial in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, accused of punching a patron at a strip club.

Gregory Frye asserts in his lawsuit that Beason punched him in the face at the Uptown Cabaret on Nov. 15, 2009, after he told another player he had seen Beason using cocaine.

Beason, 26, adamantly denies both the attack and the drug allegations, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Jury selection is to begin Monday for a trial expected to last about a week.

Beason was arrested in November 2009 and accused of punching Frye, but 11 days later, the criminal assault charge was dropped for lack of evidence.

"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 at the time. "No witnesses have come forward."

Frye says he told Panthers tight end Dante Rosario he had seen Beason doing cocaine at the annual Lake Bash at Lake Norman in June 2009.

Frye says Beason struck him in the face and then kicked him as he tried to get up. When he got to his feet, he alleges, Beason struck him again.