Bouncer’s trial put off until next year

The assault trial of a former bouncer at the Second Chance nightclub in downtown Ann Arbor, scheduled to start Monday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, has been delayed.

Edward Abbott, 22, of 2352 Twin Lake, Ypsilanti, is accused of beating a 24-year-old community service officer with the Farmington Hills Police Department during a brawl last March 30 at the Second Chance. The victim, Roger Neirynck, has claimed he did nothing to provoke the assault.

But Ann Arbor lawyer Carl Shaner, who represents Abbott, has claimed Neirynck started the fight by jumping on Abbott’s back while Abbott was trying to intercede in a fight between a fellow bouncer and another patron. Shaner said the whole ruckus was sparked by customers throwing beer

A spokeswoman for Judge Edward D. Deake said a new date for a trial early next year will soon be set.