Shia LaBeouf has been placed on probation after pleading guilty to three counts of simple battery, following a fight during Mardi Gras in New Orleans earlier this year.
The incident happened in the early hours of February 17 in the city’s French Quarter. Police arrested the actor after he was removed from a bar, with footage from the night appearing to show him pushing one person to the ground and hitting another. A police report stated the punch “caused his nose to possibly dislocate”.
Shortly after his arrest, LaBaeouf said that he had been scared of the “gay people” that supposedly “infringed upon” the Mardi Gras celebrations.
“I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic, then I’m that,” LaBeouf said in an interview with Channel 5.
“I’m good with gay — be gay over there, though. Don’t be gay in my lap.”
@channel5tiktok #ShiaLabeouf on the reason behind his arrest #Channel5
♬ original sound – Channel 5 News
On Wednesday, Judge Juana Marine-Lombard handed LaBeouf a six-month suspended sentence and two years of probation. He’s also been ordered to stay away from the three people involved, as well as the venue where it happened. As part of the outcome, he’ll need to complete an alcohol treatment program.
His lawyer, Sarah Chervinsky, said LaBeouf had accepted responsibility in court.
“Mr. LaBeouf came to court today wanting to take accountability for his part in what happened, and he has done so,” she told the Associated Press.
“Now he’s looking forward to focusing on family, work, and new creative projects.”
There are still differing accounts of what led up to the altercation. Local performer Jeffrey Klein, who goes by Jeffrey Damnit, said LaBeouf pushed him earlier in the night and used homophobic slurs. Chervinsky pushed back on that claim, describing the situation as “a minor Mardi Gras bar tussle” and saying there was “no evidence it was about bias or prejudice”.
The case sits alongside a longer history of legal issues for LaBeouf.
In 2017, he was arrested in Georgia for public intoxication and disorderly conduct during a film shoot, after which he was ordered to attend rehab. He was also sued by musician FKA Twigs over allegations including sexual battery and assault, that case was settled in July last year.
For now, LaBeouf will remain under court supervision while he completes the conditions tied to his sentence.
Lead image: AP
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