Sullivan’s Island, SC – A South Carolina judge has confirmed a multi-million dollar jury decision against Eric Bowman, a tech entrepreneur and the former owner of the Charleston Battery soccer team, stemming from a 2018 altercation where he was accused of using a golf cart to assault Wallace “B.J.” Crosby. The verdict, issued in June, demands from Bowman over $4.66 million in damages.
The incident occurred outside Dunleavy’s Pub on Sullivan’s Island when Crosby, whose fiancee was working as a bartender at the establishment, confronted Bowman about an unpaid $124 bar tab. According to court records, Bowman, along with a companion, attempted to leave without settling the bill, which led to the altercation.
Reports indicate that the confrontation escalated when Bowman, in an attempt to depart the pub, struck Crosby twice with his golf; the injuries Crosby sustained included a torn rotator cuff and ligaments as well as an annular tear in a disc in his lower back. These injuries required multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy.
Charleston County court records detailed the painful aftermath of Crosby’s injuries and the surgeries he needed to mend the damage sustained from the golf cart assault. The jury awarded Crosby over $1.86 million in compensative damages covering his extensive medical and rehabilitation costs.
Additionally, jurors assigned nearly $2.8 million in punitive damages, aimed at penalizing Bowman and deterring similar conduct in the future. Circuit Court Judge Jennifer McCoy, in a recent ruling, upheld both the compensatory and punitive damages awards, articulating that the punitive measures were “reasonably related to the actual harm resulting from Bowman’s conduct.”
In a legal twist, Bowman had initially filed a lawsuit against Crosby, accusing him of false imprisonment, assault, slander, and malicious destruction of property. However, the jury found these claims unfounded and favored Crosby’s account by awarding him damages for his injuries.
Following the verdict, Bowman’s legal team requested a review of the punitive damages labelled as excessive and motioned to overturn the jury’s verdict or secure a retrial. These requests are still under judicial consideration, and no new trial date has been set.
The case garnered local attention partly due to Bowman’s profile as a software entrepreneur and former sports team owner, highlighting concerns about civility and legal responsibilities in community disputes.
Attorneys representing Crosby have praised the jury’s attentiveness and diligence throughout the trial. Clay McCullough, expressing satisfaction with the outcome, stated, “This verdict not only addresses the physical and emotional toll on Mr. Crosby but serves as a strong message against reckless behavior.”
As the legal proceedings continue, the case remains a cornerstone in discussions about accountability and the repercussions of disputes that escalate into violence. The Sullivan’s Island community and broader public are closely watching the unfolding developments as they think about the boundaries of personal conduct and the protective measures the law offers to individuals aggrieved in such confrontations.