Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311190290
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press and New York Times reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The incident happened early Thursday at Stixx, a bar and pool hall, and Scottsdale, Ariz., police said they will investigate.
Lt. Mike Keeley identified the man as Edward Durham, 36, of Glendale. Durham was accompanying the two women. He said in his complaint that Barkley became verbally abusive in telling the women to leave him alone.
Durham then admonished the NBA's Most Valuable Player for using obscenities around women, the police report said. Barkley responded with more obscenities and moved toward Durham. Durham told police Barkley was restrained by employees but struck him once.
Keely said Durham refused medical attention. He added investigators had not yet spoken with Barkley but planned to do so.
Keeley said nightclub employees reportedly restrained Durham when he tried to retaliate. Barkley, 6 feet 6 and 252 pounds, was said to have been escorted from the bar and was not there when police arrived.
"I'll always defend myself mentally or physically," Barkley said after practice. "Just because I'm Charles Barkley, I don't have to take crap off people. That's it."
"The ownership of Stixx acknowledges there was a disagreement involving Mr. Barkley here," said Diane Corieri, the manager and part-owner. "But as far as any other details, we have no other comment,"
Suns spokeswoman Julie Fie declined to comment.
On June 17, 1992, Barkley was acquitted of breaking a Milwaukee man's nose with a punch. The fight occurred in Milwaukee after a Dec. 22, 1991, game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Bucks. Barkley said he hit the man in self-defense.
The Milwaukee verdict was delivered hours before Philadelphia traded Barkley to the Suns for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry and Andrew Lang.
In an April incident, also in Scottsdale, Barkley poured beer on the head of a woman who tore up his autograph after he refused to sign more than one piece of paper for her. No charges were filed.
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB