bloodrayne
06-08-2005, 02:56 AM
Russell Crowe Busted In Phone Fracas
New York - Actor Russell Crowe was arrested and charged Monday for allegedly throwing a telephone at an employee of the Manhattan hotel where he was staying.
Crowe, 41, whose latest film "Cinderella Man" in which he plays a boxer opened in Manhattan Friday, allegedly threw the phone at the concierge at the Mercer Hotel in SoHo, "hitting him in the face and causing a laceration and substantial pain," according to the complaint.
The Australian movie star was arraigned on charges of second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon -- the telephone -- before Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Martin Murphy. The assault charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
"This arose because he was trying to get his wife on the phone in Australia," his attorney, Gerald Lefcourt, told reporters earlier outside the police precinct where Crowe was booked. "He was in his room. He couldn't get a line and there was a disagreement." Police said Crowe left his room and went to the front desk where the alleged confrontation took place.
The prosecution told the judge that Crowe admitted to a police officer that he picked up the phone and threw it because he was angry.
Assistant District Attorney Chad Sjoquist asked the judge to set $5,000 bail, but Murphy released Crowe in his own recognizance and told him to return to court Sept. 14.
After Crowe was processed at the police precinct, he was led out in handcuffs to a police SUV for the ride to criminal court. A horde of media, including a news helicopter hovering overhead, descended on him. Crowe, wearing dark shades, a blue bomber-style jacket and jeans, declined comment.
Crowe is married to actress Danielle Spencer and they have a 17-month-old son. He won the Academy Award for best actor for "Gladiator" in 2001.
New York - Actor Russell Crowe was arrested and charged Monday for allegedly throwing a telephone at an employee of the Manhattan hotel where he was staying.
Crowe, 41, whose latest film "Cinderella Man" in which he plays a boxer opened in Manhattan Friday, allegedly threw the phone at the concierge at the Mercer Hotel in SoHo, "hitting him in the face and causing a laceration and substantial pain," according to the complaint.
The Australian movie star was arraigned on charges of second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon -- the telephone -- before Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Martin Murphy. The assault charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
"This arose because he was trying to get his wife on the phone in Australia," his attorney, Gerald Lefcourt, told reporters earlier outside the police precinct where Crowe was booked. "He was in his room. He couldn't get a line and there was a disagreement." Police said Crowe left his room and went to the front desk where the alleged confrontation took place.
The prosecution told the judge that Crowe admitted to a police officer that he picked up the phone and threw it because he was angry.
Assistant District Attorney Chad Sjoquist asked the judge to set $5,000 bail, but Murphy released Crowe in his own recognizance and told him to return to court Sept. 14.
After Crowe was processed at the police precinct, he was led out in handcuffs to a police SUV for the ride to criminal court. A horde of media, including a news helicopter hovering overhead, descended on him. Crowe, wearing dark shades, a blue bomber-style jacket and jeans, declined comment.
Crowe is married to actress Danielle Spencer and they have a 17-month-old son. He won the Academy Award for best actor for "Gladiator" in 2001.