Tulsa World: UT fan sues OU fan, restaurant

Home > News > Article

RSS

Bookmark

UT fan sues OU fan, restaurant

By The Associated Press
Published: 6/13/2008 6:36 AM
Last Modified: 6/13/2008 10:42 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — A University of Texas fan filed a civil lawsuit on Thursday seeking more than $100,000 in damages from an Oklahoma City bar and a University of Oklahoma fan after a fight left him injured.

The bodily harm Allen Michael Beckett inflicted on Brian Thomas when Beckett grabbed his groin and refused to let go are "serious, painful and potentially permanent," Thomas' attorneys contended in the lawsuit filed Thursday in Oklahoma County District Court.

Beckett, 54, is scheduled to go on trial in December on a felony charge of aggravated assault and battery. He maintains he was defending himself from Thomas last June at Henry Hudson's Pub.

Beckett's attorney, Billy Bock said other witnesses at the bar have countered Thomas' version of what happened on June 17, 2007.

"Every bit of the investigation that's been done supports our side of things," Bock said.

According to Thomas' lawsuit, Beckett began heckling him after he walked into the bar wearing a Texas T-shirt. Thomas tried to ignore it, but decided to leave a short time later, the lawsuit stated.

Thomas said he was at the bar paying his tab when Beckett grabbed him and refused to let go until his scrotum was torn. The injury required more than 60 stitches, Thomas has said.

The lawsuit mentions "a possible connection to a local sports rivalry."

Beckett is accused of assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotion distress. The lawsuit also accuses Henry Hudson's of failing to intervene before the attack.

A manager at the bar declined comment on Thursday. By The Associated Press