LOS ANGELES : Charges Against Nicholson in Car Smashing Dropped

A judge Monday dismissed misdemeanor assault and vandalism charges against actor Jack Nicholson, who had been accused of smashing a motorist’s windshield with a golf club.

Despite the objections of prosecutors, Municipal Judge Martin Suits ruled at a hearing that the victim’s complaint had been laid to rest by a civil settlement reached with Nicholson in March and that a criminal case was unwarranted.

Robert Blank, 38, alleged that while he was stopped at a traffic light in North Hollywood on Feb. 8, Nicholson got out of his car wielding a golf club and accused him of cutting him off. The Academy Award-winning actor then pounded the roof of Blank’s Mercedes-Benz and shattered its windshield, Blank said.

Blank had sought unspecified damages from Nicholson, saying the attack had caused him to fear for his life and lock himself in his car for safety. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.