D.A.: Man Not Attacker in Bachelorette Party Brawl

The Oklahoma County District Attorney said the man charged with attacking a woman at a bachelorette party is not the attacker, and now witnesses say they never got a good look at the suspect.

Monday, August 17th 2009, 7:16 pm

By: News 9


By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma County District Attorney said the man charged with attacking a woman at a bachelorette party is not the attacker, and now witnesses say they never got a good look at the suspect.

One of the witnesses NEWS 9 spoke to was part of the bachelorette party. She said she saw the attack, but she cannot identify the person who did it.

The bachelorette party took place at Club Rodeo just over a week ago, with the bride-to-be getting attacked. She spoke to NEWS 9 just days after the assault.

"And he grabbed my face and pushed me up into the wall of the club, and then some people were able to get him off of me...temporarily. And he grabbed me by my throat again and pushed up against the wall again and I hit my head," said Emily Cunningham.

Police arrested Sterling Beecroft, and charged him with assault and battery, but the District Attorney rejected those charges saying "Beecroft was not the assailant. It was another person in the group."

Mandy Harmon was with the party and witnessed the attack.

"I was actually standing right next to Emily and the guy did come up and he did grab her. It was light enough that she had on a necklace and that necklace was shattered afterwards," said Mandy Harmon, a friend of bachelorette.

Harmon is mentioned in the police report as witness identifying the suspect, but she said that's not true.

"Just because I was exactly right next to Emily, I guess they assumed I knew that the guy looked like, but I could not tell you if that was the guy or if that was not the guy," Harmon said.

Beecroft's attorney agrees there was a mistake.

"I don't think that anyone here is saying that Ms. Cunningham was not involved in a physical altercation. It just wasn't Mr. Beecroft," said Beecroft's attorney Steve Stice.

Club Rodeo released a statement saying from their experience, when mixing tempers and alcohol, accusations and claims become exaggerated.

Harmon said there was drinking, and the club was dark.

"The one for sure person that I think would know would be Emily. But at this time, I don't know," Harmon said.

The bride got married in Hawaii this past Friday, and is still said Beecroft was her attacker.

Police say they have identified another suspect, but they're waiting for the wedding party to return to see if they can make a positive identification.

More on News9.com:

- Questions Surround Suspect Involvement in Bachelorette Party Brawl
- Bachelorette Party Turns Into Brawl

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