Mel Gibson to avoid jail?
Mel Gibson to make plea deal
Photo Credit: Getty
Disgraced Hollywood actor and director Mel Gibson looks likely to avoid jail time after agreeing to a plea deal in relation to the domestic violence charges made by his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
It's currently being reported in the US that the 55-year-old Australian star will plead no contest to simple battery - a lesser charge than 'corporal injury on a spouse' - in court on Friday. Gibson apparently accepted the deal to avoid a lengthy court battle which could put pressure and strain on his family and children.
Gibson's lawyer has since said, "I know from almost 20 years as a criminal defence lawyer that sometimes justice can come for a client at too high a personal price. That is particularly so for Mel, whose right to due process can only be exercised in this case with an enormous media circus attached.
"Mel's priority throughout all of this has been that the best interests of his young daughter Lucia and the rest of his children be put first in any decisions made.
"It is with only that in mind that he asked me to approach the District Attorney with a proposal that would bring all of this to an immediate end."
Taped conversations purporting to have been made between Gibson and Russian musician Grigorieva were leaked online last year, with the actor allegedly being heard making violent threats and racist comments. These were followed by photos of Grigorieva's injuries online which she claim were inflicted by Gibson during various assaults.
Grigorieva, who has a 17-month-old baby with Gibson, has since been awarded £7.5million in child support, a house and various other assets from the actor, with Gibson claiming she used the audiotapes to secure such a huge settlement.
Gibson is due in court to make the plea on Friday, March 11.
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