Mel Gibson Domestic Abuse: Prosecutors to Charge for Oksana Attack?
Mel Gibson is a name that pops up frequently on our Celebrity Justice blog. Ever since Gibson went all crazy a few years back, he's a fairly safe bet to provide for good legal fodder, particularly for his DUI tirade and other screaming fits recorded by his ex-wife.
Today he's back in the headlines after his attorney met with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley to discuss the ongoing criminal investigation of Gibson. The famous actor is accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. According to RadarOnline, prosecutors are ready to file felony domestic abuse charges and the visit by Gibson's attorneys is a last ditch effort.
"Allegations of domestic violence involving Mel Gibson are actively under review by the District Attorney's Office," Cooley said, CNN reports. Gibson and Grigorieva and currently locked in a custody battle over their three-year-old daughter.
Domestic violence is harm inflicted on one member of a household or family on another member of the same household or family. It most frequently occurs between spouses and is often called spousal abuse.
The District Attorney's office is analyzing the evidence collected by investigators to determine whether to bring charges of felony domestic violence against Gibson, CNN reports. The alleged domestic violence came during an incident a year ago between Grigorieva and Gibson. Gibson has countered that his ex-girlfriend attempted to extort him after recording his phone calls. Could Mel Gibson's domestic violence issue really turn into criminal charges?
District Attorney Cooley also said that Mel Gibson's attorneys provided information that they felt was relevant to the matter. "Information received will be taken into account in deciding whether or not to file charges," Cooley said, though he did not indicate when such a decision would be made.
Related Resources:
- D.A.: No decision in Mel Gibson case yet (USA Today)
- What is Domestic Violence? (FindLaw)
- Philly Domestic Abuse Cases Call for New Police Policies (FindLaw's Blotter)