Suit filed against players in brawl

Jordan Jefferson, left, and Joshua Johns

Four men claim in a lawsuit that former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and former LSU linebacker Joshua Michael Johns attacked them without provocation outside a Baton Rouge bar last year.

The men are suing Jefferson, Johns and DBJ Interests LLC, doing business as Shady’s bar. The men alleged Jefferson and Johns seriously injured them on Aug. 19 and that Shady’s failed to safeguard its parking lot against such incidents.

Lewis O. Unglesby, attorney for Jefferson, said Tuesday: “The only person injured in this was Jordan, who lost the opportunity to play in the first six games” of LSU’s 2011 football season.

In a criminal case, Jefferson faces a misdemeanor charge of simple battery in the incident in the bar’s parking lot. A hearing in that case is scheduled June 11.

The civil suit was filed late Monday, the same day the Tampa Bay Times reported that Jefferson signed a contract Sunday with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Thomas C. Damico, attorney for Johns, said, “I think it’s a frivolous lawsuit in regard to Josh.”

Damico noted that a grand jury of the 19th Judicial District chose not to indict Johns on any charge. Damico said he believes Johns was misidentified as a participant in the parking lot fight.

“He simply was not involved,” Damico said. “There simply was nothing there.”

Requests for comment were left on a telephone answering service and email address for Brandon Lagarde, an attorney listed in records of the Secretary of State’s Office as agent for DBJ Interests. Lagarde did not respond to those requests for comment.

Calls to Shady’s at 623 E. Boyd Drive were not answered Tuesday afternoon.

David Michael Sheely, listed in state records as an officer and member of DBJ Interests, could not be located for comment.

The civil suit was filed late Monday in 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge by attorney Michael P. Bienvenu on behalf of the four men claiming to have been injured by Jefferson and Johns. Those four are Eric M. Ewen, Jordan M. Wills, Cayne A. Cox and Andrew R. Lowery.

Ewen and Lowery allege in the suit that they suffered
serious back and facial injuries.

Bienvenu said in the suit that “Ewen sustained three fractured vertebrae, a bulging and/or herniated vertebral disc, multiple fractured teeth” and cuts and bruises.

“Lowery sustained a fracture of his maxilla (upper jaw) bone, fractured teeth, a bulging and/or herniated vertebral disc” and cuts and bruises, according to the suit.

Wills and Cox allege in the suit that they suffered cuts and bruises to the head, face and body.

The civil suit is assigned to District Judge Wilson Fields.

Comments

1) Comment by Whatnow - 10/05/2012

EM, not all of the victims were beating up their girlfriends. Some of the fine points were somehow left out of the papers, seems to me. There are three other victims.

2) Comment by Elderly Man - 09/05/2012

Whatnow, the so-called victim was beating up his girlfriend or wife. He began the fight.

3) Comment by Dawson - 09/05/2012

This just proves that lawyers will talk anyone into suing for anything to get that check. Lawyers will be the winners in this case. I would support a provision that says the plaintiff must pay all cost of the defendant if the case is thrown out or if the defendant loses. This would cut down on the amount of suits filed. Currently their is no recourse for someone that wishes to throw lawsuits around looking for a check.

4) Comment by NewsReader - 09/05/2012

Duckylove, I have to ask: When was the last time an employer paid you $400,000 for your first year, $500,000 for your second year and an undisclosed larger amount for your 3rd year of employment? It would seem that we can therefore conclude that in comparing job performance and ability you are inferior at your job than he is.

5) Comment by Michael Gary Scott - 09/05/2012

These two with the assistance of team, the coaches, the big money supporters, the local media, the DA, and the police made a mockery of justice last year, it is time both thugs pay for their crimes. If they really feel sorry for Jefferson, they need to buy him a DVD set of Married with Children for vocational education purposes, because the only future this loser has is in the same profession as Al Bundy. Either that or a long term scholarship to Burl Cain Community College in the beautiful Felicianas where he can learn agriculture, sheet metal stamping, or rodeo.

6) Comment by Duckyluve - 09/05/2012

Jefferson will be lucky to make the practice squad. He sucks at QB, always has and always will.

7) Comment by mh1949 - 09/05/2012

Daddy Miles must have some very strong ties with the Buccaneers organization.

8) Comment by NewsReader - 09/05/2012

spqr, you do realize that JJ signed on 5/7 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, right? http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay- buccaneers-sign-former-lsu-quarterback-jordan-jefferson/1228764

9) Comment by ems1183 - 09/05/2012

Victims? Hardly. One of the guys purportedly had been starting fights all evening. I wish the media would put this on a back page where it belongs. JJ is gone, and that should make many of you happy. Whether he makes it or not in the NFL is anyone's guess. I wish him and other former Tigers success, because their successes become LSU's successes. For the last time, let's move on, people.

10) Comment by Hello Baton Rouge - 09/05/2012

I hope the complainant is ok getting paid in shoes since thats all Jordan Jefferson will have to his name once he doesn't make the cut in the NFL

11) Comment by KB - 09/05/2012

I'm not a Jefferson fan, but I hope they prove that he is innocent. If the original story is correct and truthful, the "victim" started the fight, but I guess we'll find out in June!

12) Comment by whodat70816 - 09/05/2012

Trying to get paid for a bar fight. Hope the Judge tells 'em next time pick on somebody your own size. Don't waste the courts time because you started something you couldn't finish.

13) Comment by spqr - 09/05/2012

They had better go to court soon and collect what money they can, if they can. Jordan Jefferson will never make an NFL roster.

14) Comment by Whatnow - 09/05/2012

I had a feeling that there was more to this case than was on the surface. I hope the truth is found out one way or the other. Elderly Man and amzetty, were you there that night? Tell us what happened since you already seem to know that they are opportunists.

15) Comment by Duckyluve - 09/05/2012

Thug Victim will get paid by the Thug Players. Take them for everything they will ever be worth.

16) Comment by Elderly Man - 09/05/2012

Opportunists indeed. The so-called victim is himself a thug.

17) Comment by amzetty - 08/05/2012

Opportunists, plain and simple.