Mel Gibson accused of 'willfully and unlawfully' using violence against girlfriend, D.A. charges

L.A. prosecutors charged in court papers that Mel Gibson "willfully and unlawfully [used] force and violence upon" his girlfriend.

Gibson is expected to appear in court Friday afternoon to answer the charge. Several sources said Gibson is expected to plead no contest to a misdemeanor charge.

As part of an agreement with the district attorney's office, the sources said, Gibson would avoid jail time but would be placed on probation.

The actor-director's latest legal trouble began last year when his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his daughter, accused him of threatening her with a gun and punching her at his Malibu home.

Secret recordings of Gibson engaging in a series of racist, profane rants were leaked to the celebrity website Radar Online. In the recordings, Gibson appeared to confirm Grigorieva's allegation of violence, telling her: "You ... deserved it."

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-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Mel Gibson looks on during a photocall to promote the movie "Edge of Darkness" in 2010. Credit: Francois Mori /  AP

Comments

[Herbert]

So Mel agreed to a plead deal for his convenience because he didn't want a drawn out trial. Geez, you would think the prosecutors are bending backward to accommodate the criminal instead of standing up for the victim. This man deserves to be thrown in jail!

[Tvegas]

So how is that a misdemeanor?

[Bob Horner]

What do you know Herbert? Are you privy to inside information? The prosecutors surely know the strengths and weakness of their case. A clear weakness is a victim that is widely perceived as a gold-digging manipulator who set this whole thing up to extort money from a famous man. If Gibson went to trial he probably wouldn't be convicted but it would have been a nightmare circus. He can get the misdemeanor expunged later on.

[Boo Boo]

Why would he avoid jail time?
Isn't there a state law that requires him to do jail time since it's domestic violence?
I guess there are different laws for celebrities.
Pretty sad that we just accept this as citizens and obey the "other" laws that don't apply to celebrities.
The general public deserves to be treated as second class citizen if they don't stand up for equal rights for everyone.
I guess I should look into acting so I can make millions and not have to worry about the laws of the country.

[Angela Birch]

OK he can plead, but he shouldn't get the kid except for supervised visitation.

The thought of this guy with his loss of control having a temper tantrum with a small child at his mercy, no way.