Barkley Accuser Softens Stance

Jeb Tyler, 23, who accused Charles Barkley of assault in a Cleveland bar, said he probably will not file criminal charges because he doesn’t want Barkley to miss the Olympics.

Tyler told a city prosecutor his version of what happened in a bar fight early Sunday. Barkley and Tyler filed police complaints against each other after getting into a scuffle at The Basement, a popular club in Cleveland’s partying district.

Tyler said he was leaning toward filing a civil complaint against the NBA star, but not criminal charges.

Barkley had been in town for the U.S. men’s basketball Dream Team’s exhibition game against Brazil.

Barkley said Tyler’s motivation was obvious.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with it,” he said. “I know my security guards say he hit me, and I filed a complaint against him. You just get sick of people trying to sue you and make money, but I’m never going to settle.”