MKRob Sports

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason disputes a misdemeanor assault charge against him and will plead not guilty, according to his attorney.

Beason was arrested this afternoon and charged with assault with the intent to inflect serious injury stemming from an incident at Uptown Cabaret in the early morning hours of Nov. 16, after Carolina’s home win over Atlanta the previous day.

He was released today with the promise to appear in court.

Beason was arrested after his accuser, Gregory C. Frye, obtained a warrant despite the fact that a police investigation in the matter was not yet complete, according to Beason’s attorney, George Laughrun.

“Jon is adamant that he had nothing to do with the assault and he will plead non-guilty,” said Laughrun. “He looks forward to his day in court and to getting his good name cleared.”

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 nasal cavity and swelling to his nose and eye area.

Frye has a long history of legal troubles, according to court records, including charges of assaulting a female and writing a worthless check in 2008, both of which were dismissed.

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.”