Saturday, May 23, 2009

Kiefer Sutherland and fashion designer Jack McCollough resolve issues

Looks like Kiefer Sutherland may be in the clear for the head-butting incident. The star of Fox television's "24" and designer Jack McCollough, say they’ve 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.

On May 7, Sutherland turned himself in and was charged with third-degree assault after a dispute involving the designer and Brooke Shields at an after-party for the Met's Costume Institute Gala in New York. Witnesses had said Sutherland head-butted McCollough.

McCollough was hospitalized and suffered a broken nose. Through her lawyer, Shields later called it an "unfortunate" situation, adding that "Kiefer has always been a gentleman."

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.

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's legal situation may be complicated by the fact that he is currently on probation for drunk driving. He spent 48 days in jail after that arrest in 2007.

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