Manchester man sues Rams player in bar assault

[RamWraith]

By Robert Patrick
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
12/19/2006

A Manchester man has filed a civil suit against the St. Louis Rams rookie tight end who he says hit him in the head with a glass at a nightclub Dec. 4.

Jason DeRouchie's lawsuit says Dominique Byrd struck him in the face and forehead with a glass "without provocation or warning," causing "serious, permanent and disfiguring" cuts.

The suit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages.

Byrd also faces criminal charges for the alleged early-morning incident at the Pepper Lounge at 2005 Locust Street. He was charged Dec. 4 with two felonies, second-degree assault and armed criminal action, for the alleged assault on DeRouchie and misdemeanor third-degree assault for allegedly grabbing a woman's buttocks.



According to the charging documents, Byrd and DeRouchie exchanged words after Byrd grabbed the woman. Byrd then smashed a cocktail glass across DeRouchie's face, prosecutors say. Police at the time said DeRouchie was taken to the hospital for stitches but Byrd declined treatment for cuts on his hand.

Byrd was drafted in the third round this year out of the University of Southern California. A spokesman for the Rams did not respond to questions about Byrd's status, but at the time charges were filed, Coach Scott Linehan said that he was still evaluating the incident.

[live4ramin]

I hope the butt was worth it.

[general counsel]

just a wild guess, but this could easily cost byrd 100k to settle. If it really is "permanent disfiguirement," which as a legal term of art could be major or minor, it could be a lot worse than that. If byrd is very very lucky, he might get out paying 50k plus his legal fees.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[bigredman]

just a wild guess, but this could easily cost byrd 100k to settle. If it really is "permanent disfiguirement," which as a legal term of art could be major or minor, it could be a lot worse than that.

Take a look at my face man...if that ain't major permanent disfigurement, I don't know what is! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

[BigGameMN]

Isn't Byrd just the model citizen? Going around groping women and smashing glasses into people's faces that object. What a class act.

[ramsanddodgers]

Take a look at my face man...if that ain't major permanent disfigurement, I don't know what is! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Ah, RedMan but not everyone would want to live with such disfigurement as that!

If we cannot laugh at ourselves we have no sense of humor...

RnD

GO RAMS!!:l

[RAMMAN68]

My question is do the Rams keep him, trade him, or release him?
The guy hasn't shown anything to prove he is a legit TE in this league, and with this incident, he could be a distraction.

[AvengerRam]

Pretty sad that the only grab the guy has had all year was in a bar after hours.

[RAMMAN68]

Pretty sad that the only grab the guy has had all year was in a bar after hours.

Nice, LOL.

[Varg6]

Nice, LOL.

At least the man got some action! He'll get some in court too.

[AlphaRam]

Bring back Cam Cleeland!