Assault Charges Against Tyson Are Dismissed

Assault and battery charges against heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson were dismissed Monday at Tyson’s arraignment by Judge Maral Kirakosian of Los Angeles Municipal Court.

Tyson, 21, was accused of punching Jonathon Casares, a parking lot supervisor, after a concert at the Greek Theatre on June 21. Tyson was accused of putting his arms around parking lot attendant Tabita Gonzalez, and asking her to give him a kiss while standing in a VIP area of the lot.

Gonzalez was attempting to break free from Tyson, police said, when Casares drove by in a cart and got involved. The city attorney’s office alleged that after Tyson let the woman go, he threw a T-shirt at Casares and struck him in the mouth with his open hand.

The legal grounds for the judge’s ruling were not immediately known. “Apparently it was a civil compromise--an out-of-court settlement,” said Mike Qualls, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office.

Qualls added that the judge granted the dismissal over the objection of the prosecution.