Will Smith CAN BE charged even if Chris Rock isn't pressing charges, claims former DA
Even though Chris Rock declined to press charges on Will Smith, a former Los Angeles County district attorney claimed that Will Smith may still be charged for slapping the presenter at the Oscars. According to Steve Cooley, LA County District Attorney from 2000 to 2012, "The [Los Angeles] city attorney could bring charges based on the evidence without necessarily relying on the victim. The victim does not control whether or not a prosecutor should file charges."
The matter should be pursued by the LAPD and the Los Angeles City Prosecutors, according to Cooley. He also added that Smith may be charged with simple misdemeanor battery. He remarked to the New York Post, “However, charges actually can and should be filed because the offense was against the state of California. It’s not Chris Rock versus Will Smith in a criminal matter. The LAPD and the city attorney should not close the door on what was an obvious criminal offense and is easily provable.”
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Will Smith's infamous slap, which went viral across the world left many viewers puzzled when the broadcast audio was cut. Rock made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair, adding he was excited to see her in "G.I. Jane 2." As Rock was speaking, Smith came up to the stage and hit him, shocking the audience.
Official LAPD statement on the Will Smith x Chris Rock incident:
— Tony • GMA (@THETonyMorrison) March 28, 2022
"The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report." pic.twitter.com/cgzD9UPUlF
After the shocking incident during the Oscars broadcast, the LAPD issued a statement stating that they were aware of an "incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report." The Academy also released a statement saying that it “does not condone violence of any form.”
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.
Earlier on Monday (March 28), Smith posted an Instagram post to apologize to Rock. He wrote, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
He went on to say, “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness. I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees, and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress."