Kiefer Sutherland Assault Charge Likely To Be Dismissed

NEW YORK — Kiefer Sutherland and the fashion designer he's accused of head-butting at a Manhattan night club said Friday they resolved their differences, clearing the way for the charges to be dropped. Sutherland and Jack McCollough issued a brief joint statement Friday to The Associated Press through Sutherland's attorney.

"I am sorry about what happened that night and sincerely regret that Mr. McCollough was injured," Sutherland said in the statement.

The star of Fox television's "24" was charged May 7 with third-degree assault in the alleged incident two weeks ago at a nightclub at the Mercer Hotel in the trendy SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. The minor charge is comparable to a speeding ticket.

A spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office declined to comment on whether the charges would be dismissed.

But now that Sutherland and McCollough say they have resolved their differences, a prosecutor may go before a judge and ask that the case be dropped. That could happen at Sutherland's next scheduled court appearance on June 22.

"I appreciate Mr. Sutherland's statement and wish him well," McCollough said in the statement.

McCollough, of the high-end Proenza Schouler fashion house, said Sutherland head-butted him and broke his nose after an argument. The two were out following the gala at the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a fancy affair studded with celebrities.

The story spurred a media frenzy as a swarm of reporters gathered outside the 1st Precinct in Manhattan to watch as Sutherland arrived for questioning and was charged. Photographers also shadowed Sutherland and McCollough while rumors swirled about the nature of their altercation and what role, if any, actress Brooke Shields might have played.

Sutherland, who has won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his portrayal of dashing federal counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer on "24," pleaded no contest in October 2007 to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

He served 30 days in jail, in addition to 18 days for violating probation in a 2004 drunken-driving arrest.

Comments

[gaubladt]

Kefir Southerland is really only well known for his role in the movie "24" as an advocate for torture, while employed at News Corp. News Corp, and its' owner Rupert Murdoch, have been the primary advocate for torture in the United States for the past eight years.
Does anyone know of any plans to organize a boycot of "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian ", produced by News Corp. If Cheney can't get the justice he deserves for ordering torture, perhaps News Corp's owners can!

[skybar]

Kiefer and alcohol don't mix.

[HeavyHitter]

What would Jack do?

[KickerBoard]

Torture someone.

[The Ghost]

Sounds to me like McCollough was the instigator.

[exile]

so this part is the role model for republicans and chickenhawk neo-Cons around the usa.

dashing federal counterterrorism ACTOR.

republicans all over dc love the part.

[tploomis]

Kiefer might have dodged paying the consequences for his actions this time, but unless he addresses his alcohol problem and anger problem, these incidents will occur again. He needs to look at his track record and conclude there are serious problems that need to be addressed.

[ivyj]

"I am sorry about what happened that night and sincerely regret that Mr. McCollough was injured," is a pretty lame apology.

Try again: "I am sorry about what I DID that night and sincerely regret that I INJURED Mr. McCollough­." Your use of the passive voice fools no one, Mr. Sutherland (or should I say, Mr. Sutherland's lawyer.), and only adds insult to injury.

[IDIOTA]

I like Kiefer, but that was a lame apology in the passive voice. He was sorry for the mistakes that were made.

[eden4barack08]

Was it Cheney giving pointers to Jack or Jack to Cheney?

[Karl Jonas]

kiefer is a serial drunk, an aggressive violent drunk, and he's in total denial of it. that "it was unfortunate and i regret it" is one huge crock... when he gets drunk (and he can't drink in moderation) he gets violent.

kiefer, you need serious therapy before you end up killing someone in a drunken rage.

[primus4]

The fashion designer was probably a threat to national security. We are all lucky to have Jack Bauer around.

[progressivelady]

celeb's often get away with assault's,wtf

[Rog49Thomas]

Apparently many folks don't know that is was actually Fox airing 24 that kept our nation safe since 911 and not Former President Pan or VP Cheney.

That's why we have to let "Jack" off so he can continue to fight our imagined enemies.

Spoiler alert: When Fox cancels 24, I'd advise you pop down to your hardware store for duct tape and plastic sheeting. Your own and the lives of your loved ones will be in great danger.

[v eyepete]

Showbiz kids making movies of themselves don't give a f about anybody else--Donald Fagen KS Kinda makes me ill. Perhaps we will see justice next time. There is sure to be a next time.

[CaptainStormfield]

Well said...

[toxicbrainpoison]

and i just watched the movie freeway yesterday.­.. hes a very convincing violent psychopath in that movie.

[Charity]

ever see "eye for an eye"? for awhile there i thought that type of part was the only one he was going to do.

[KickerBoard]

Yeah - also check out A Time To Kill and A Few Good Men. And for violent psychopath, check out Jack Bauer on 24.

[strangelet]

I'm thinking 50-75 large.

[Nyland8]

That aught'ta do it.

[OtayPanky]

That was my number, too.

[Charity]

i dunno - doesn't seem high enough - maybe a $100grand.