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Tyson pleads innocent to assault charges
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A judge Thursday denied a request from Mike Tyson's attorneys to drop misdemeanor assault charges against the boxer. Tyson was arraigned Thursday before Judge John Carter on charges stemming from a June 21 altercation with two men at a Brooklyn hotel. The former world heavyweight champion pleaded not guilty to charges of third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. The boxer is scheduled to appear in court again September 30. Mel Sachs, Tyson's attorney, said his client was told by the two men, "You've got fists; we've got guns." "Mike Tyson was provoked and verbally and physically attacked," Sachs said. "His actions were justifiable." The charges against Tyson could carry a sentence of up to one year in prison. The two men Tyson allegedly fought with -- identified as Samuel Velez, 31, and Nestor Alvarez, 24 -- face misdemeanor charges of menacing and disorderly conduct. Tyson was silent during his appearance before the judge, but he signed the court artist's sketch on the way out of court. He also waved to several cheering fans as he left the courthouse. Police said Tyson got into a dispute with two men and a woman that turned into a "physical altercation." The woman was not charged. The incident happened about 5:35 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Brooklyn, near the Brooklyn Bridge. Police said the two men "picked up an object from the hotel lobby and menaced" Tyson. The boxer cut his hands and was treated at the scene. One of the men and the woman were transported to Bellevue Hospital and were treated for unknown injuries.
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