The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office announced today that they would not press assault or gun charges against actor Ryan O'Neal stemming from a dispute in February at his Malibu home involving his adult son.
Prosecutors said there was "insufficient evidence" to prove the case "beyond a reasonable doubt," and made their determination after reviewing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's investigation and re-interviewing witnesses.
O'Neal, 66, was arrested February 3 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm after firing a gunshot during an argument with his son.
The actor told authorities that his son, Griffin, picked up a fireplace poker and started swinging it. The younger O'Neal grazed him four or five times and "aimed at my head, I ducked, he hit his own girlfriend in the head," O'Neal said.
The actor said he fired a "warning shot" intended to scare his 42-year-old son, who came at him with a fireplace poker. He said his son struck Berry, 22, with the poker during the fight.
The elder O'Neal was nominated for an Oscar for the 1970 movie "Love Story."
andrew.blankstein@latimes.com
Prosecutors said there was "insufficient evidence" to prove the case "beyond a reasonable doubt," and made their determination after reviewing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's investigation and re-interviewing witnesses.
The actor told authorities that his son, Griffin, picked up a fireplace poker and started swinging it. The younger O'Neal grazed him four or five times and "aimed at my head, I ducked, he hit his own girlfriend in the head," O'Neal said.
The actor said he fired a "warning shot" intended to scare his 42-year-old son, who came at him with a fireplace poker. He said his son struck Berry, 22, with the poker during the fight.
The elder O'Neal was nominated for an Oscar for the 1970 movie "Love Story."
andrew.blankstein@latimes.com
