New Mel Gibson tape to be reviewed by detectives

A tape released Monday in which actor Mel Gibson apparently acknowledges that he hit the mother of his child will be added to evidence being reviewed in a domestic violence investigation involving the actor.

Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said detectives did not have the tape before, and would be acquiring it this week.

In the recording, released Monday by RadarOnline, Gibson's former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva recounts an incident in which she says Gibson hit her as she held their baby daughter, a blow that broke the model's teeth. A voice believed to be Gibson's is heard telling the woman she "deserved" it.

An investigation into Gibson began last week, after Grigorieva, a Russian model and the mother of one of Gibson's children, made formal allegations against the actor. Sheriff's officials are not releasing details into the investigation, but say it's expected to be wrapped up by the middle of next month. Their findings will be turned over to the Los Angeles County district attorney's Office, which would then determine if charges will be filed against Gibson.

The tape released Monday is being reviewed along with interviews, and other evidence, authorities said.

"What kind of a man is that? Hitting a woman when she's holding a child in her hands?" Grigorieva is heard saying. "Breaking her teeth twice in the face! What kind of man is that?"

"Oh, you're all angry now! You know what, you … deserved it!" a man believed to be Gibson is heard responding.

A spokesman for Gibson declined to comment Monday afternoon.

Controversy revisited the troubled actor recently with reports that he was recorded using a derogatory term for African Americans. In 2006, the "Lethal Weapon" star unleashed a profanity-laden anti-Semitic tirade, after being stopped on suspicion of drunk driving.

Recently, Gibson's career had shown signs of recovering, most notably with the release of the thriller "Edge of Darkness," the first film the leading man had starred in for years.

-- Robert Faturechi

Comments

[underscore]

When it comes to Mel Gibson, it seems that the bad stuff about him instantly rises to the top of the media heap and the good stuff gets conveniently buried. There was never any media mention of Gibson donating large sums to help build houses for the poor in Mexico's Veracruz state during the filming of "Apocalypto" (Mel has shown his philanthropic side to Mexico in the past, donating $1 million to the victims of hurricane Stan as well).

[Pedro Gambino-Gotti]

I like Mel. Viva Arizona!!! to hell with Holder! Si Se Puede!!!

[JMike]

This recent tape makes it clear that Gibson is one sick dude. This is beyond being a racist jerk, this is downright pathology.

[Chandler Hill]

He's a good Catholic boy, that Mel.

[Marcia Twane]

Good-bye, Mel.

[Dan]

Didn't Oksana Grigorieva commit a crime by recording this phone conversation without Mel knowing he was being recorded??

[Vic Fera]

To Chandler: The Catholic Church is a hospital for sinner not a hotel for saints!

[CowardHeart]

Time for Mel to RETIRE from acting and go live on an Island.

[NativeAmerican]

He whose without sin, cast the first stone at Mel..Anyone?

[Honestrob]

Mel, remember, it's
"Do unto others".

[Richard Cory]

If I missed something, Isn't there a law that states you cannot" record" a conversation unless the person is make aware that the conversation is being recorded?
AND if someone were to make a "illegal" recording it can not be used in a court of law.
So unless this Russian sleaze bag is working undercover with the authorities,
the L.A. District Attorney has nothing.

[DC]

It's been a great career Mel. See you on Celebrity Rehab 8.

[Elsa]

JMike. I think the word you were looking for is "pathological" not "pathology" which is the study of disease.

Anywho, all the good things Mel has done in the past does not give him an excuse to hit or abuse anyone. Just because he gave money to Mexico doesn't give him the right to use derogatory and racist remarks against them or anyone for that matter.

I bet this was not the first time he struck a woman either. That was a real cheap shot to punch her while she was holding the baby. Truly shows what kind of man Mel really is.

By the way any touch done in anger is abuse enough.

[IonaTrailer]

This is the guy who made "Passion of the Christ" - the sickest movie ever made. Anyone watching that disgusting display of sado-masochism can see that he's a disturbed puppy.

Get thee into rehab, dude.

[Katy]

Two sides to every story. Am not defending Mr. Gibsons actions especially the physical violence but reading between the lines I think she basically used him to gain some notoriety. Having a child was a selfish act on both parts and shame on them for bringing her into a relationship that was pretty much doomed from the start--her side being entrapment, his side falling for it. Younger is not always better--what is it with men in the movie business that think having a younger woman around somehow makes them look better and younger themselves? Makes them look ridiculous.

[Philip]

Mel has been a proven racist and a woman hater for years. This is nothing new. Why people still support him at the box office is beyond me.

[Mike]

I'm no supporter of Mel Gibson's causes. And after hearing him on that tape, I don't think we have much in common as men either. But honestly I don't care at all about what he says on that tape.

First of all, the tape isn't completely fair because one party knew they were being recorded and the other didn't. So poor Oksana is able to seem above it all--and sane--while Mel raves like a lunatic. Play me a tape where neither one is aware of being recorded, and let's see if Oksana is really the innocent abused woman she claims to be. There are things we say in anger that we would never say if we knew they were going to be broadcast to the world. Is that not a universal truth? Someone here would like to claim otherwise?

Second, I'm definitely ok with Mel saying the n word. Or anything else he wants to say. See, I believe in freedom of speech, no matter how offensive. I'm also ok with people hating him and boycotting his work for saying those things. That goes with the territory. But the day we should ever lose our ability to say whatever we please will be the end of the 1st Amendment.

I'm also ok with him screaming at his girlfriend. From what I could tell, the tape I heard was a break-up conversation. "I don't love you anymore!" he screamed. And he told her all the things he despises about her. Well, isn't that sometimes part of what a break-up is? I mean, in my own life, I've never ever had a breakup go that poorly. I've never even known anyone who has. But why should Mel Gibson suppress his rage and fury to appease our standards of how a movie star should break up with a woman?

I'm well aware most people don't agree with me, but this incident won't affect whether I see Mel's next movie or not. If it looks good, I'll go. If it looks bad, I won't. Same as always. Just like I can still watch Seinfeld with no remorse. Just like Alec Baldwin's tape doesn't stop me from watching 30 Rock. Just as Bill Clinton's infidelity doesn't stop me from admiring his presidency. Just as Polanski's rape of a child doesn't stop me from loving Chinatown. Just as no matter how good of a person Bush may be in private, I despise him for his time in office.

See, life is complicated like that.

Now if he was hitting that woman, then that should of course be investigated. But if she was taping him illegally, that should be investigated too, just as Linda Tripp was indicted for illegally taping her phone calls with Monica Lewinsky.

[chuck hodi]

He's a sick rascist dude that's untouchable!

[dot]

I don't care what donations he's made. This guy is seriously ill and needs long term professional help/anger management. no kidding!

[Donnie Darko]

The tapes don't sound like Mel Gibson, so why is the media pushing so heavily on Mr. Gibson? I think the media has an agenda that is biased towards Mad Max because he made that Passion of the Christ movie. Mel shouldn't have hooked up with this surly Russian who is an obvious gold digger.

[tgefilms]

He should go to Switzerland and hang out with Polanski. The Swiss won't do anything...

[quadbubbles]

Millions of dollars are raised by the Hollywood Establishment to displace Palestinians, but Mel has a "potty-mouth" and the MSM turns on him. The people are with you, Mel.

[daisy]

In this ultra-sensetive culture, anything can be called "anti-semetic", even if its true...

anti-semetism is provoked

[BlackSunshine]

MadMax? Mad Mel... I just don't know what to say, but he sure ruined my enjoyment of the films. And he has worked with black people before. But you just never know...He hates blacks but loves our green.
Typical.

[Judy]

Hmmm, just who did Mel really hurt? Seems to me that more is made of what he says then other people! Lindsey Lohan still gets help. Robert Downey, Nick Nolte, the list goes on and on. He was stupid to get involved with this woman in the first place! She's a gold digger and he couldn't keep his pants zipped. She wants money, no more no less. Let the man alone. Don't see his movies if ya don't want to do so. There are so many more worthy things to think about.