Charges were filed Tuesday against a Lawrence man accused of being involved in a brawl outside a downtown tavern that resulted in a bystander being knocked unconscious.

The bystander, Jeffrey Medis, 28, later claimed he was beaten because he is homosexual.

John T. Simmons, 30, was charged with one count of disorderly conduct and four counts of battery. All charges are misdemeanors.

Court records show that on Dec. 6, Simmons was outside Replay Lounge, 946 Mass., when he exchanged words with a group of passersby. The exchange led to an altercation, during which Simmons is accused of striking four other men. None of the five was injured.

Simmons is not accused of hitting Medis, who suffered a concussion, two broken jaws, a broken nose and a fractured eye socket.

Whether the four men Simmons is accused of striking are suspected of hitting Medis is unclear.

“I can’t comment on the facts of the case,” said Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney. “But I will say that this case involves a number of individuals, and after reviewing all the information, the decision was made to handle each individual’s case one at a time. This case — the one filed today — is the first one.”

Kenney declined to say whether others would be charged. But a news release posted on her office’s Web site reads: “Charges against additional individuals have not been ruled out. The decision regarding additional charges may be deferred until the proceedings against Simmons are concluded.”

Initial reports indicated that when police arrived at Replay Lounge, Simmons was arrested for striking a passenger in a nearby SUV-type vehicle.

Attempts to reach Simmons for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Contacted by the Journal-World, Medis declined comment.

“My attorney has told me that I’m not to say anything. I’m sorry,” he said.

Lawrence police have said that Medis did nothing to provoke his attacker and that his homosexuality was not a factor in the attack.