Football player-turned-actor Vinnie Jones was in court on Thursday to defend himself against the assault charges in connection to the December bar brawl in Sioux Falls.
According to eyewitnesses, the 44-year-old actor allegedly took offense when Juan Trevino Barrera, one of the men in the bar, identified him as Juggernaut from the 2006 mutant film "X-Men: The Last Stand," which he viewed as a slight against his more significant roles.
His lawyer said that he was just acting in self-defense when he punched Barrera. Jones was taken to the hospital to treat cuts to his face he obtained during the brawl.
According to Jones' legal camp, Barrera, who is currently in jail on unrelated drug charges, sold his story to a tabloid and was convinced that he would make more money if the actor is convicted.
A police officer took the stand and told jurors that they arrested the British ex-sportsman because he admitted he did not feel threatened right away by Barrera, but punched him for mocking and taunting him over his accent.
Barrera is seeking damages for lost wages, medical bills, and for his pain and suffering.
If convicted, Jones could face a maximum punishment of one year in jail and $1,000 fine.
Jones' acting credits include his film debut "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" in 1998, "Snatch," "Gone in Sixty Seconds" and "The Condemned."
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