Aggravated assault charges dropped against Panthers' player Jon Beason.

By NewsChannel 36 Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason was cleared Friday of aggravated assault charges.

'We are obviously pleased and it validates what Jon told us from the beginning,' General Manager Marty Hurney said in prepared statement.

The charges stemmed from an incident at the Uptown Cabaret strip club after the Panthers' victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 15.

A NewsChannel 36 source says that Beason punched Gregory Frye during a confrontation. The victim allegedly suffered injuries to his eye socket and nose, which required medical attention and may require reconstructive surgery. His attorney released photos of the injuries, which show cuts to his left eye.

Beason was arrested a day after he recorded a career-high 17 tackles in Carolina's 17-6 loss to the New York Jets.

Criminal charges have been dropped, but Frye will pursue a civil suit, his attorney says.

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