American comedian, Chris Rock stopped Los Angeles Police from arresting actor Will Smith after he slapped him during the Academy Awards on Sunday night.
Gatekeepers News reports that Oscars producer Will Packer, in a preview clip for his upcoming interview with Good Morning America, said the police were prepared to arrest Smith for battery but were stopped by Chris
According to Packer, the cops said to Chris “We will go get him, we are prepared to get him right now. You can press charges. We can arrest him.”
Packer claimed Chris was dismissive toward police, but he encouraged the comedian to hear them out before making a decision.
“They were laying out the options, and as they were talking, Chris was being very dismissive of those options. He was like, ‘No, I’m fine’. He was like, ‘No, no, no,”‘ the producer said.
Although, Chris declined to press charges, but police said in a statement on Sunday that “if the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
Meanwhile, Smith, who was presented with his first Academy Award after the onstage attack, will face ‘disciplinary proceedings’ with Oscars officials that could result in suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions.
“Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response,” the Academy said in a statement Wednesday.
A source close to the actor confirmed to The Sun that Smith and his lawyers are writing to the Academy to plead his case ahead of his upcoming hearing on April 18.
“Things are hanging in the balance. He will write an official letter to apologize, and effectively beg for their forgiveness,” the source said. “He is also expected to hold a call with show bosses in the next 24 hours. April 18 is D-Day, though — he will find out if he still has an Oscar, and quite possibly, a career.”
