Document: Mel Gibson admits slapping Oksana Grigorieva, not punching her

Mel Gibson says that he slapped Oksana Grigorieva during a heated argument but never hit her with a closed fist and that he did it only because she was out of control and he feared for daughter Lucia's safety, according to a sworn declaration obtained by TMZ.

"I slapped Oksana one time with an open hand in an attempt to bring her back to reality," he says in the June 23 document. "I did not slap her hard, I was just trying to shock her so she would stop screaming."

In telling his side of the Jan. 6 altercation that's at the center of a domestic violence investigation, the actor describes an argument that started in the kitchen and escalated after he told Grigorieva to get out of the house and she refused.

He says Oksana grabbed Lucia from her bassinet in the next room and shouted, "Stop yelling at me or you will make her into a retarded, brain-damaged idiot."

"She continued to scream at me and argue with me while she held Lucia between us," he says, "literally placing our 2-month-old baby in the middle of our argument."

In the document filed June 23, he describes his then-girlfriend running barefoot in a bathrobe through her son's room and out about 75 yards into the backyard at night, then squatting and screaming with the baby to her chest while he yelled at her to bring the child inside. Once she was back in the house, he says, she refused to give Lucia to him and swung the baby to keep her out of his reach.

"Oksana's rapid movements were causing Lucia's little body to be flung from one side to the other, her head shaking violently," Gibson says in the declaration.

"This was the only way I could think of to stop her hysteria," he says, explaining that he feared Lucia would be injured, and that his hand never touched the kid.

Grigorieva has accused Gibson of punching her in the temple hard enough that he knocked off a dental veneer and of hitting Lucia while she held the baby.

The couple split up in April, and reports of the fight and of tapes in which Gibson rants at Grigorieva started bubbling up at the end of June.

RELATED:

Mel Gibson's domestic violence case goes to prosecutors

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Oksana didn't tell doctor Mel Gibson hit Lucia, says pediatrician who says she saw no sign of injury

— Christie D'Zurilla

 Photo: Oksana Grigorieva and Mel Gibson, post-fight but pre-breakup, at the Madrid premiere of "Edge of Darkness" on Feb. 1, 2010. Photo credit: Juan Medina / Reuters.

Comments

[DV woman]

I hope this woman gets millions from this creep. Hitting (slapping, pushing, etc.) is not allowed. Period.

It's clear from his statement that he was trying to grab the baby away from it's mother. If he felt the child was really in danger he should have called 911.

It's clear from his statement he was screaming at her and probably frightening her. He could have left the house, he could have gone into another room and closed the door. Instead he slaps her.

Giblets is an abusive alcoholic with anger management issues. He needs to do some jail time.

[Rose Chu]

Rest assured that Oksana is a fake, phony, fraud. She is also an extortionist and a liar.

[cdz from the ministry]

Christie D'Zurilla here from MOG with a gentle reminder that, in general, we don't publish comments that include links.

//cdz

[underscore]

Sorry but Oksana Grigorieva is certainly no poster child for domestic abuse. The fact that she has taken such a serious issue and exploited and trivialized it to her own material advantage is truly shameful. Seems as if Oksana will stop at nothing in her effort to manipulate the media and blackmail Mel Gibson in the process.

[stew]

What's the difference between a mosquito and Oksana Grigorieva? One is a bloodsucking parasite, the other is an insect.

[LGM]

That's on a par with OJ...on the stand...being asked to look at a photo of Nicole's bruised and swollen face and testifying that "IT WAS A RESULT OF HER PICKING AT BLEMISHES" and, another time....being out of control so she got that beat up face because he threw her to the ground TO HELP HER. At least Mike Tyson went thru years of self-examination and came to take responsibility for the havoc he'd created, which made his inclusion in the Hangover inoffensive. Mel Gibson seems absolutely incapable of ANY self-examination or taking any responsibility. UGGGGH

[SAA]

DV woman - as a woman, I am offended by your ridiculous remarks. "slapping" someone back into reality is justified when they are HYSTERICAL. Now, add to the fact that she was holding his child, and it becomes almost mandatory. His story has remained consistent, while hers has changed numerous times. there is no evidence, none, zip, zilch, that he 'abused' her. Imagine if someone were holding your child - shaking him/her about, screaming, running around a yard that is not well lit and has steps & dips - how would you react? would you just stand there and let them behave that way? Give me a break. This man raised 7 children with his wife, with absolutely no reports of any instability or abuse. In fact, she defends him. It's women like you (if in fact, you are a woman) that make the "domestic abuse" card seem phony to the world, because you actually consider something like this "abuse". Go get a reality check, and do a gut check, please. Imagine if that were your child in her hands and tell me what you would do...

[Rosebuddy]

I'm amazed at some of the really stupid comments posted by people like SAA, stew, underscore & Rose Chu. Even when Mel admits to slapping Oksana and after publishing of all the tapes where Mel threatens and repeatedly verbally abuses her and her son they are unable to accept the REALITY that Mel is a domestic abuser. What is wrong with these IDIOTS. Oksana is a brave woman for standing up to such a nasty bully. And she is extremely intelligent for being smart enough to gather evidence to support her case. All Mel has is the support of a bunch of morons who themselves are completely out of touch with reality.

[Scarlett]

I 'am starting to think Oksana has just as much issues as Mel if not more, and I believe him since he has been consistent in his stories. Oksanas changes so much I don't believe her, she should have shut up and taken the $20,000 a month, what mother gets that, she isn't even his wife!

[Troy]

I don't think Oksana is an angel, but Mel needs to be prosecuted for all the vile things he has done. He has been given special treatment because he is a celebrity, and it is time for that to end.

[margo]

Gibson's story is ludicrous. Why would this woman just suddenly start waving her infant around. And then she suddenly decides to leave the house with the baby and wander around in the dark? Clearly she trying to get away from a pathologically angry, violent, out of control man.

I also don't buy that he "slapped" his girlfriend to help save his baby. His girlfriend was holding the baby when he hit her--he was the one putting the baby at risk.

[KJ]

I've never been with a woman that didn't think it was okay to slap and hit me when she got upset. It seems to be the norm as if they don't hurt. I believe Mel slapped her and this does sound very credible.

Funny how those little slaps do hurt.

[lisa]

Did Mel Gibson EVER have an altercation with his first wife and all his other children? NO. Has he said and done stupid things? YES. Did Oksana EVER extort money for fame from another Movie star? YES Timothy Dalton.
Has Gloria Alred been an ambulance/movie star chaser for YEARS with the most ridiculous of sleezy, slutty, disgusting trash in the entertainment business? YES. And will she and YOKO ONO be doing an album? YES!
titled,"How to distroy and embarrass great entertainers". Also, why would someone call 911 if they believe they can handle a situation? Also AMAZING
how you ladies will defend a woman being slapped, yet, how many women slap men and they stop there behavior.