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

[Mike]

This is a set-up. Plain and simple, this is a set-up. I'm with Mel.

[B.J.]

It sounds SO apparent on these phone tapes that she is staying overly calm & cool, while Mel, unaware of being recorded, is calling her like she may well. Mel Gibson was married FOREVER to the mother of his children and I do not recall any rumors, complaints or charges of abuse. I believe this woman is trying to set him up, push his buttons and gain sympathy and fame for herself in the process. She likely said things before she started recording, to set him off, which made it that much easier for her to stay calm, the more he ranted.....Using her poor child to gain even more sympathy is low, low, low.
Alec Baldwin has made an ass out of himself more times than I care to count and although I do NOT agree with his politics, the man is a genius & outstanding, entertaining actor that I love to watch. I will NOT turn my back on Mel Gibson because of this. I've certainly said things I regreted and some pretty hateful ones that I am not proud of, especially during a break up situation and I would not have wanted it secretly recorded. We all make mistakes and most of our voices and language tend to elevate when confronted with a horrible situation like this. Give the man a break and stop medling in his personl life. Think about it....HE didn't know he was being recorded, HE didn't put those tapes out there....who would have been the ONLY person to gain from this?.....SHE recorded them and if she is the one that had access to them, then she is obviously the one that turned them over or gave them to a pal to do so. Mel Gibson is an amazing and entertaining actor. Give this a rest and stop trying to ruin a man's life and career because of gossip from a woman that is apparently trying to create a career/livelyhood/notoriety by producing children from famous men that she has sex with..... she is not an angel and is certainly old enough to know about birth control IF she wanted to use it.
This is at least her 2nd out-of-wedlock child with different well known actors so it appears to be another attempt to gain access to the ladder of the Rich and Famous.