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Sutherland's head-butt case: Actor apologizes, designer accepts
by Natalie James - May 23, 2009 - comments
Kiefer Sutherland, due in a New York court June 22 to answer to a misdemeanor assault charge for allegedly head-butting Jack McCollough, has resolved the matter with the designer prior to court date
Los Angeles, May 23: Actor Kiefer Sutherland and fashion designer Jack McCollough, who were involved in a scuffle that occurred early this month in New York, have resolved their differences out of the court.
Sutherland has expressed his regret for the May 5 incident, in which he allegedly head-butted the fashion designer McCollough when the latter accidentally bumped into actress Brooke Shields at a New York City gala.
Sutherland apologizes and McCollough accepts
In an apology letter, the “24” star said: "I am sorry about what happened that night and sincerely regret that Mr. McCollough was injured."
The women’s wear fashion designer, who at the time claimed that the 42-year-old actor slammed his head into his face and broke his nose, has accepted Sutherland’s apology.
McCollough said in the statement: "I appreciate Mr. Sutherland's statement and wish him well."
History of the case
The scuffle between the two ensued after McCollough accidentally pushed Shields, who was talking to Sutherland at the time. As per the designer, Sutherland at the time appeared intoxicated, demanding that McCollough apologized. When McCollough refused to do so, the actor allegedly got physical with him, breaking his nose.
Sutherland, who claimed at the time that he attacked McCollough in order to defend the honor of Shields, later surrendered to New York police to face a misdemeanor assault charge. He was charged May 7 with third-degree assault in the alleged head-butting incident.
Now, by issuing the apology Sutherland has increased his chances of clearing the way for the charges to be dropped. Attorneys for both the parties have reportedly negotiated an agreement that paves the way for Sutherland's head-butt case to be dropped when both parties appear in court on June 22.
Sutherland, who is most famous for his role as CIA agent Jack Bauer in the worldwide TV hit “24”, is currently serving five years probation for an unrelated drunken driving charge in Los Angeles.
Authorities say that by getting physical with the designer the actor has violated the terms of his second DUI conviction, which clearly state the actor must "obey all laws".