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 cites other gun incident

bkrueger — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:26:53 -0400

A Wendell man testified today that Don Beason also brandished a gun during a separate incident in Raleigh's City Market.

Steve Bass, general manager of Accurate Air Inc., said he was installing an air conditioning unit on the roof of Woody's at City Market around 8 a.m. on June 11.

Bass testified that Beason, a regular at nearby Big Ed's restaurant, pulled up behind him and he asked him to move his truck. He said Beason rolled down a window and pointed the gun in his direction.

"He seemed to be upset," Bass said.

Bass said he put his hands up and left.

"I got gone," he said

Beason, a former top lobbyist, is facing a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly pointing a gun at a Raleigh couple at a gas station near Cameron Village in July.