A federal jury awarded US$260,000 on Monday to one of two men who sued NBA star Allen Iverson after they said they were beaten by his entourage at a Washington nightclub in 2005.
The jury's decision against Iverson and his bodyguard, Jason Kane, covers bar patron Marlin Godfrey's medical bills and pain and suffering. But the jury chose not to award punitive damages, which could have significantly raised the damage award.
Godfrey and another patron, David Anthony Kittrell, sued the Denver Nuggets guard for US$20 million, saying they were beaten by his entourage in July 2005. The attacks, they said, followed their refusal to vacate the Eyebar club's VIP section for Iverson.
Iverson testified last week that he didn't see the fight, and was whisked out of the club before the brawl became serious. He said the two men suing him were merely trying to cash in on his fame and fortune. Iverson's 90-minute testimony was the only court appearance he made during the case.
The nine-member jury in US District Court deliberated for about 13 hours over three days before reaching its verdict.
The jury found that Kane was liable for assault and battery of Godfrey, who was awarded US$250,000 for pain and suffering and US$10,000 for his medical bills. Iverson was found negligent for failing to supervise Kane. The jury did not find either of the men liable for assaulting Kittrell.
Attorneys for Iverson and Kane said they were disappointed and planned an appeal. Iverson lawyer Alan Milstein also said the NBA player's absence from the trial was not a reflection of his opinion of the court case, an argument frequently made by the plaintiffs.
Godfrey's lawyer, Gregory Lattimer, urged jurors on Monday to award punitive damages, saying the only way to send a message to Iverson was through his wallet. Jurors were told before their deliberations that Iverson makes US$23 million each year.
But Godfrey said after the verdict that he was not disappointed he was only given the award for medical costs and pain and suffering.
"For me it was never about the money," he said. "It's always been about holding them accountable."
Iverson faces another lawsuit for another nightclub fight involving his security in Hampton, Virginia. That happened less than two weeks before the Washington fight.
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