Rip Torn pleads guilty in drunken bank break-in

Rip Torn pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from his Jan. 29 arrest inside a Connecticut bank, where he was found drunk, with a loaded gun, having broken into the place thinking it was his own home. In exchange, he won't go to jail.

The 79-year-old actor, who was given a suspended 2½-year sentence, can't possess firearms during his three-year probation period and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Torn, currently reprising his role of Zed in the Will Smith franchise flick "Men in Black III," was glad nobody was injured and that he didn't wind up in jail, his attorney said. The actor -- initially arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary, among other charges -- pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and the illegal carrying of a firearm.

He's had a history of alcohol-related run-ins with the law, including three arrests on suspicion of DUI. Since the bank arrest, Torn has participated in in-patient and outpatient rehab.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Actor Elmore "Rip" Torn in a Connecticut court on Feb. 1, 2010. Torn had spent the weekend in a police holding cell after his Jan. 29 arrest. Credit: Jim Shannon / Associated Press

 

Comments

[Veritas]

Really? He thought the bank was his house... he broke in with a loaded gun... he gets off with no time. This is a great precedent. "Sorry officer, I got drunk, I loaded my weapon, and since I forgot my house keys just decide to break into this bank errr, my house." Ok, son, move along then.

[jess]

i agree w veritas. are we all really supposed to believe that he thought the bank was his house?? i've been really really really drunk before and never ever would i have been able to load a gun nor would i have mistaken a bank for my house.

[Nikki]

I agree with the both of you...

[What's a Girl to do]

Why couldn't he have believed the bank was his house? The banking executives believe that the banks are their own personal treasure troves.

[D.GALLO]

Has this guy spent any real time in jail or state prison for 3 DUI'S?

[Etta]

So is anyone getting him some helpforhis alocholism problem.Can we get him to AA where he belongsss?Heis nota criminalbut anotherone with the disease of addiction which left untreated will killhim like many others.

[t flaherty]

rip needs to star in 'men in AA 3"

[cole younger]

Wow....so much for justice. If it had been anyone else who broke into a bank with a gun in his hand and drunk, they would have at least faced a 5 to 10 year jail sentence. Talk about social status and movie stars...unbelieveable !!!! That judge should not sit on the bench and wear a robe !!!!

[Space Ace]

The bank does own your house until the last cent is paid 30 years later. They will use the balance you owe to collateralize their own debts owed to China, which is sometimes 100 times the amount of your house mortgage balance due.

Maybe Rip Torn was trying to get his royalties off the 100:1 leverage the bank got from him buying a house. Long ago, I drank so much I literally blacked out even though I was functioning perfectly for several hours. Maybe the Men In Black nebulized me.

[Yomayngsup]

does somebody have to cut his food for him? what a jerk

[loveemall]

Guess its a good thing hes not a black guy

[KOOPS]

My questions is....who is his attorney? This guy is brilliant

[BeckyM]

If you see a photo of the bank you will see why he might have (being drunk) mistaken it as his house. It actually looks like a Victorian housefront.

[RunningMan]

I suppose the NRA will appeal because they took his gun away.

Get some help Rip and thanks for the crazy alibi should I ever find myself drunk in a bank with a gun.

[Jen]

He's one weird old man. I hope this teaches him a lesson!

[Z-dep]

It looks like "zinc-zinc" had a potato droped on his head, that means he had to go through the garden.....or well maybe he forgot to wipe his feet.

[carole mclellan]

Rip got caught up in local politics. His attorney is in fact brilliant. He got my dog off of a vicious dog complaint. Attorney Waterfall has a special place in my heart. His name is A. Thomas Waterfall by the way.

[Sean]

Poor "Artie". I love Rip Torn, I hope he gets his life together. He's been battling alcoholism for decades. I have a feeling the judge was more leniant because of his age, not his celebrity status...

[Nick]

The "I thought it was my house" defense was actually plausible in this case because they showed the court a pic of Rips house and it actually looked like the bank does. No one can say they haven't done anything stupid while drunk unless they have never been drunk in which case you have no idea.

[John Svengali]

This is a brilliant actor, in comedy or drama. He was an essential part of the Larry Sanders Show. I am saddened to know of his struggles with the bottle. I hope he straightens out and stays busy. He's got much more to give and accomplish.

Good luck, Rip.

[Barb]

If you see a photo of the bank you will see why he might have (being drunk) mistaken it as his house. It actually looks like a Victorian housefront.

Posted by: BeckyM | Dec 16, 2010 at 09:03 AM
___________________________

You are correct Becky, and that is one of the reasons his sentence wasn't as harsh as it could have been. Also, the fact that he was almost 80 and has had alcohol problems that he admitted were also factors. He is a wonderful comedic actor and person, and I wish him well. I hope Garry Shandling and Jeffrey Tambor have contacted him with their support.