Charges against Rodman, Electra dropped

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Criminal charges were dropped Monday against former

basketball star and Newport Beach resident Dennis Rodman and actress

Carmen Electra, who were arrested at a Miami Beach hotel earlier this

month.

Prosecutors decided not to press battery charges against the couple, who

have had a rocky relationship. Typically in domestic violence cases,

charges won’t be filed against either party if there were no witnesses.

Rodman and Electra were arrested Nov. 5 at the Bentley Hotel in South

Beach after someone heard them yelling at each other.

Police responded and found Electra, whose real name is Tara Patrick, with

a cut lip. Rodman reportedly had scratches on his arm and a torn shirt.

The couple were taken to Miami-Dade County Jail and were later released

on $2,500 bail.

Because charges weren’t filed, a Florida judge threw out the dual

restraining orders they had filed against each other.

Rodman, a seven-time NBA rebounding champion, was staying inthe Miami

area for the shooting a movie titled “Cut Away.”

Monday’s announcement was the second case this year in which prosecutors

dismissed charges against the athlete.

Rodman spent a night in the Newport Beach Jail in August when he caused a

ruckus at Woody’s Wharf on the Balboa Peninsula. Rodman and another

patron were involved in a scuffle and police arrested both men on

suspicion of public drunkenness.

As in the Florida case, prosecutors opted not to pursue the case, saying

they did not have enough evidence.

Rodman’s attorney couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.

Details of the relationship between Electra and Rodman still remain hazy.

The two were married last November in Las Vegas, but Rodman sought an

annulment, claiming he wasn’t of sound mind. Although the two have been

seen in public together since, divorce papers were filed by Electra in

April.