Beason's defense

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:54:42 -0400

Don Beason said he was afraid when another motorist walked up to his truck.

On the stand today, the former lobbyist said that he honked briefly after Jason Batten pulled in front of his truck in Cameron Village. He said Batten then walked over to his truck, cursing and making obscene gestures, and tried to open the door.

At that point, Beason told the court he pulled the gun from the floor of the truck and set it on the passenger seat. He said he did not point it or wave it at Batten.

"With the man's demeanor, the look on his face and pulling on the door handle, I was concerned for my safety," he said.

On the incident at City Market, Beason said he mistook air conditioning repairman Steve Bass for a "panhandler." He claimed the man reached into the truck, prompting him to pull the gun out. Again, he said he did not point it or wave it at the other man.

"I never threatened anyone with a weapon," he said.

Batten denies threatening Beason, and Bass says he did not reach into the truck.

Witness: Beason pulled gun

Michelle_Valenzuela — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:33:28 -0400

A Raleigh real estate developer testified this morning that Don Beason pulled a gun on him at a gas station.

Jason Batten told the court that he pulled into a gas station off Oberlin Road in Cameron Village around lunchtime on July 6 to buy an Excedrin for his fiancée.

When he pulled in front of Beason's pickup, Beason began honking his horn. Batten got out of his Cadillac Escalade and walked toward Beason's truck.

"I recall saying 'What is your problem? You'd have to stop for the stoplight anyway,'' he testified.

When Batten was about two feet away, Beason pulled a silver revolver from his console and set it on the passenger seat, Batten testified.

Batten said he raised his hands, backed off and looked at the license plate number.

He and his fiancée then called 911 and followed Beason's truck.