Lethal Weapon star Gary Busey, 81, pleads guilty to groping a woman at convention
The 81-year-old actor, known for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, told a judge that "it was not an accidental touching" during his virtual court appearance on Thursday.
In exchange for Busey's guilty plea, the remaining charges against him, including three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, will be dismissed.
All of the charges against him came from accusations he inappropriately touched five women he was taking pictures with at the convention from 12 to 14 August 2022.
Judge Gwendolyn Blue asked him: "It is my understanding that you wish to plead guilty to a fourth degree criminal sexual contact today, is that correct?" and he answered: "Am I pleading guilty? No."
His legal team corrected him, calling out 'yes!' and Busey then said: "I am? Okay, I am." The judge responded: "No, no, no that's not how it works," before clarifying the actor discussed the charge with his lawyers.
When prompted again whether he wanted to plead guilty, he said: "Yeah." He was asked whether he could hear the judge and he explained: "I have hearing aids and they are working but they only go so high," before adding he could 'hear fine'.
He reiterated that he wanted to plead guilty. The actor's defense attorney, Blair Zwillman, claimed the indictment should be dismissed over an alleged 'faulty investigation'. Zwillman claimed the authorities failed to question certain witnesses.
Judge Blue denied the motion to dismiss. Busey, who faces one to five years of probation and will have to pay fines, will be sentenced on September 18. If sentenced, he will also be required to provide a DNA sample and will have a criminal record.
A few days after he was charged three years ago, Busey claimed the women were 'making up' the groping claims and added the encounters lasted 'less than 10 seconds'.
Speaking to paparazzi at the time, he said: "None of that happened. There was my partner, a camera lady and me and two girls. It took less than ten seconds, and then they left. Then they made up a story that I assaulted them sexually when I did not."
When the paparazzo asked if the story was 'not true', Busey said: "Nothing happened. It was all false. I was not inappropriate at all. I have eyewitnesses."
The convention released a statement days after the incident occurred in 2022. They wrote on social media: "Monster-Mania is assisting authorities in their investigation into an alleged incident involving attendees and a celebrity guest at its convention in Cherry Hill, New Jersey last weekend.
"Immediately upon receiving a complaint from the attendees, the celebrity guest was removed from the convention and instructed not to return. Monster-Mania also encouraged the attendees to contact the police to file a report.
"The safety and well-being of all our attendees is of the utmost importance to Monster-Mania, and the company will not tolerate any behaviour that could compromise those values. Monster-Mania will continue to assist the authorities in any and every way possible."
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