Russell Crowe Won't Face Charges Over Azealia Banks Dust-Up
By Hayden Wright
(RADIO.COM) – After an October 16th altercation with rapper Azealia Banks, Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe will not face charges.
The rapper said she filed a battery report on October 21 claiming he choked her, spit on her and used racist language during a party at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Local authorities rejected the report based on witness testimony that Banks seemed both intoxicated and physically aggressive.
"Regardless, you need to have the respect and decency to have someone properly escorted out," she wrote on Facebook at the time. "Grabbing them by the neck, calling them n—- and tossing them out is not the look. NOR Is spitting an acceptable form of self-defense. I will be moving forward with Pressing charges."
Billboard reports that a worksheet released by the L.A. County District Attorney's office proved insufficient evidence that the assault occurred as Banks described it. Other witnesses from the party said Banks threatened Crowe with a drinking glass. Because of that context, the DA found that Crowe's decision to forcefully eject Banks from the room was done "to prevent imminent violence."
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