Friend of Accuser Says Tyson Is Not Guilty

CHICAGO â€”  World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has not been charged in a nightclub incident, and a woman who accompanied the boxer’s accuser says she does not believe anything sexually improper occurred.

Tammie Batty said the woman, a Gary, Ind., beautician, told her after leaving the trendy South Side club that Tyson had bitten her face while kissing her and had touched her. But Batty said she saw no signs of a bite.

“I don’t believe it happened,� Batty said Wednesday. “You don’t mess with anybody’s reputation like that.�

Prosecutors said they had not been contacted by police--a necessary step before any charges could be filed against Tyson, a convicted rapist on probation. Police said they were still investigating.

“Rather than get into the specifics, I will only say we’re taking appropriate action,� police spokesman Paul Jenkins said.

Tyson, through a spokesman, declined immediate comment.

An attorney for the woman said the incident occurred in a private room at The Clique, a frequent hangout of professional athletes.

“She is distraught. She is angry and disturbed,� said attorney Charles Graddick, who would not identify the woman.

Graddick refused to describe what occurred, other than to say in Indiana it would amount to a charge of sexual battery, a felony punishable by 18 months in prison.

Ira Nathanson, a spokesman for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, said a comparable charge in Illinois, where any charges would be filed, is criminal sexual abuse, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison or probation.

An owner of the club who spoke only on condition of anonymity said he did not believe it happened.

“If any such incident occurred, it’s inconceivable we wouldn’t have known about it,� he said. He said the club was crawling with security because Tyson had called in advance to tell them he would be stopping by.