HOLLYWOOD - Oscar-winning movie star Russell Crowe faces the serious charges ofassault and criminal possession of a weapon following an incident in a Manhattan hotel June 6.
The Aussie actor allegedly lost his temper with an employee at the
Mercer Hotel after the man failed to connect the actor's phone call to his
family in Australia.
New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Michael Wysokowski says, "He was
upset because he couldn't get a call out to Australia. He threw a phone at the
employee hitting him in the face and causing a minor laceration."
Following his arrest, Crowe appeared at New York City's Manhattan Criminal
Court after being interviewed by investigating officers, and his defense lawyer
Gerald Lefcourt argued that the charges brought against his client are
completely out of character.
Lefcourt said, "He (Crowe) has never been arrested in this country. He is
very, very charitable, a decent human being with an excellent background."
Crowe was subsequently released without bail and ordered to return to court
on Sept. 14. Crowe could face up to seven years in prison if found
guilty of all charges against him.
Crowe hit the headlines twice in 2002 for his violent temper. At February's
BAFTA Awards in London, he admitted to being "abusive" and "behaving
unreasonably" towards the event's director Malcolm Gerrie, after he learnt
Gerry had edited his best actor acceptance speech for broadcast.
The following November Crowe fought with fellow New Zealander, Eric
Watson, in a London restaurant, although no police charges were filed.
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