Prosecutors drop assault charge against Panthers LB Beason for lack of evidence

Prosecutors drop Panthers LB’s assault charge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Prosecutors have dropped a misdemeanor assault charge against Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason because of a lack of evidence.

Mecklenburg Assistant District Attorney Bruce Lillie said Friday that no witnesses in a Charlotte strip club last month saw Beason throw a punch.

Beason was arrested after 29-year-old Gregory Frye told a judge the linebacker hit him in the face at a Charlotte strip club on Nov. 16. Frye sued Beason for more than $10,000 in damages a day later.

Lillie says the only evidence against Beason was Frye’s statement.

The Panthers let Beason continue to play, and the team says it’s pleased the charge was dropped.

Beason’s attorney George Laughrun says the linebacker is glad prosecutors restored his good name.