Attorneys point fingers in O'Neals' fight
LOS ANGELES — A battle between Ryan O’Neal and his son Griffin that led to the actor’s arrest at his Malibu home last weekend turned into a war of words in law offices Wednesday as their attorneys each charged that the other side was responsible for the fight in which a fireplace poker was swung and a gun fired.Griffin O’Neal, 42, and his pregnant girlfriend, Joanna Berry, who had bandages around a bruised and swollen left eye, appeared but did not speak at a press conference by attorney Gloria Allred.
“We vigorously reject any assertion that the injuries suffered by Joanna and Griffin were as a result of Ryan O’Neal’s acting in self defenCe,” Allred said in a prepared statement.
The actor’s attorney, Mark Werksman, countered quickly.
“Ryan O’Neal is the victim and was attacked by his own son, with his own poker,” said Werksman, who noted his client had a cut on his hand and bruises on his arms and legs as a result of the dispute.
Werksman said O’Neal’s other son, Redmond, was in the house at the time and the fight occurred over how Griffin has treated Redmond. Werksman said Redmond is currently in drug treatment.
Werksman called the incident “another chapter in his (Griffin’s) chaotic and turbulent life.”
Berry, who is expecting a baby boy at the end of March, suffered facial lacerations that took eight stitches to close, as well as head trauma and a corneal abrasion during the confrontation, Allred said.
Sheriff’s officials said they hope to present the O’Neal case to the district attorney’s office by today. County prosecutors will review the findings to decide whether charges should be filed.
Allred said her clients would not speak to reporters because they may be called to testify if a criminal case is filed.
Asked if Griffin O’Neal was under the influence of drugs the night of the fight, Allred said he was not.
Werksman said he and his client believe Griffin O’Neal was drunk at the time and became violent when his father asked him to leave. The attorney added that his client was sober at the time of the incident.
Allred declined to answer questions about whether a civil lawsuit will be filed, but Werksman said Ryan O’Neal financially supports his son.