Mammoth Blog

A Nashville judge has dismissed assault and harassment charges against John Rich in connection with an altercation involving former Nashville Star contestant Jared Ashley. Following testimony Friday (Nov. 20), General Sessions Judge John Aaron Holt dismissed the criminal charges that were filed after Ashley claimed Rich "sucker punched" him in the jaw in March at the Big & Rich member's private club, the Spot, in downtown Nashville. Rich said Ashley entered the club without permission and refused to cooperate when security guards asked him to leave. During Friday's hearing, Rich acknowledged he pushed Ashley but denied that he punched him. He testified, "In one motion, I took his drink out of his hand and pushed him back out of my space." In dismissing the charges, the judge noted that the Spot is a private club and that there was no evidence that Ashley sustained any injuries. Friday's hearing was in connection with the criminal charges, but Rich and Ashley's civil suits against each other are still pending.

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