Actor Billy Dee Williams Is Freed in Domestic Violence Case

Actor Billy Dee Williams was freed from jail Wednesday after being arrested on charges of assaulting his girlfriend, police said.

The actor--whose films include “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Lady Sings the Blues”--released a statement Wednesday through his attorney, John Vandevelde, saying that he “expects to be fully exonerated.”

“He has never been accused of anything like domestic violence,” the statement read.

Police responding to a domestic violence call arrested Williams, 58, at his Hollywood Hills home Tuesday evening, police said.

The woman, who police said appeared to have minor scratches and bruises, told officers that Williams had battered her.

He posted $50,000 bail Wednesday.

Williams is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 21. He probably will be charged with domestic violence, police said.

Williams also appeared in “Return of the Jedi” and “Batman.”