Tyson's accuser may have fabricated story

By The Associated Press
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 11, 1996

CHICAGO - A woman who accused Mike Tyson of sexually assaulting her claimed the boxer bit her on the face while kissing her at a nightclub, her friend said yesterday.

But Tammie Batty, who works with the woman and brought her to the nightclub Sunday night, said she didn't see anything happen.

''I don't believe it happened,'' Batty said at a news conference outside the nightclub that was set up by the club's owners. ''You don't mess with anybody's reputation like that.''

Tyson, who has not been charged, is on parole for his 1992 rape conviction. Police said they are investigating the woman's complaint.

Batty said her co-worker at a beauty parlor in Merrillville, Ind., told her after leaving the club that Tyson had bitten her face while kissing her and had touched her.

The woman's attorney refused to describe what happened Sunday night in a private room at The Clique, a frequent stomping ground for professional sports players.

''She is distraught. She is angry and disturbed,'' said attorney Charles Graddick. He said the woman went to a Chicago-area hospital and called police after her release early Monday.

An owner of the club, who declined to be identified, said he didn't believe anything happened because the club had assigned security to Tyson.

''All I know is the woman wanted to come up and talk with Mr. Tyson. ... He said, 'OK, come up,''' the man said.

Graddick said the woman tried to report what happened with Tyson to people at the club and was rebuffed. The owner denied that.

''She was one of the last people to leave,'' he said. ''She never said anything."

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