The father of a troubled Beverly Hills starlet, arrested on March 21 for physical abuse allegations made by a former girlfriend, pleaded not guilty in court on May 24, as reported by several national and international news sources.
The celebrity dad, M.L., has turned the tables on his alleged victim, K.M., stating that it was she that assaulted him. He has promised to bring all to light during the court proceedings.
M.L. is scheduled for trial in a Beverly Hills court on July 5.
M.L. was charged and booked by police for false imprisonment – he allegedly held K.M. against her will, and preventing the reporting of victimization – for refusing to allow her to call police to her aid. He is also charged with infliction of corporal injury on a cohabitant.
His bail was set at $200,000.
After a verbal argument allegedly grew physical, K.M. contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and filed a report. The celebrity website, TMZ, has reported that she filed the report in West Hollywood between 9:30 and 10 p.m. on the evening of March 21.
Lt. John Ratto with the Los Angeles Police Department told People magazine, “(M.L.) was arrested after we received a call around 9pm regarding a domestic dispute. He was detained after he was spotted walking on the street near our station. He showed no signs of intoxication that I'm aware of and has been co-operative.”
During the booking process, M.L. began complaining of chest past and was taken to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre. He returned to the police station once the hospital checked him over and released him, had his mug shot taken and completed the booking process.
RadarOnline.com reported that K.M. declined medical attention and had suffered minor injuries.
M.L. is currently highlighted in a televised rehabilitation program, with other minor celebrities, to treat his “anger issues”.
K.M. has alleged that when she arrived on the set to be part of a therapy session, M.L. was physically violent toward her while the program was being filmed. The program’s filming took place inside the Pasadena Therapy Centre.
The two were no longer a couple at the time of the taping. K.M. alleged that she agreed to do it because she had hoped that it would be therapeutic.
But, when she left the session, K.M. contended, M.L. chased her out and grew violent.
After the incident, K.M. allegedly said, “I wish that he gets the help that he needs and I feel sorry that (his ex-wife, D.L.) was stuck with him for 18 years and my heart goes out to his children.”
One of M.L.’s now-adult children had a lucrative acting career before being derailed by alcohol, drugs and shoplifting allegations. A younger sibling appeared to be heading toward a music career, but has since refrained from the family’s spotlight.
M.L. and K.M. were once engaged to be married.
Have you been the victim of domestic violence? No matter how much celebrity may surround your case, contact a family law attorney to gain the proper support and help you need to break the cycle of abuse.