Actor’s Son Pleads Not Guilty to Beating Wife
The son of actor Andy Griffith pleaded not guilty Friday in Van Nuys Municipal Court to felony charges that he beat his wife, causing her to have a miscarriage.
Sam Griffith, 34, a North Hollywood real estate developer, was charged with assaulting his pregnant wife with a deadly weapon, felony spousal battery causing great bodily injury and negligently discharging a firearm.
Griffith was arrested Wednesday after he turned himself in while accompanied by his attorney, James E. Blatt of Encino.
Renee Denise Griffith, 28, filed a complaint alleging that her husband beat her Jan. 6 after they got into an argument. Griffith is accused of hitting his wife, who was two months pregnant, in the face several times with his fist. Then, he allegedly kicked her several times in the stomach, causing her to lose the baby, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Jeffrey S. Gootman.
Bail was originally set at $100,000, but was reduced to $60,000 at the arraignment.
A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 20.
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