Haley Joel Osment Ordered to Attend A.A. After Ski Resort Arrest
A judge has ordered the actor Haley Joel Osment to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and therapy sessions for the next six months as part of a deal to dispose of charges of public intoxication and cocaine possession after he insulted the police.
Mr. Osment, who rose to fame as the child actor of 'Sixth Sense' in 1999, was arrested in April at a ski resort in Mono County, Calif. Police footage of the arrest showed Mr. Osment refusing to answer questions from officers. He also asserted that he was being tortured and kidnapped by a 'Nazi' and used an antisemitic slur while addressing an officer. Later he apologized for his words and said he had experienced a blackout.
At a court appearance on Monday, a judge granted Mr. Osment's request for a one-year diversion from prosecution, saying he would dismiss the charges if over the next six months the actor obeys all laws, attends three A.A. meetings a week and meets with his therapist twice a week.
Diversion is an alternative procedure in criminal cases in many states that allows certain defendants to avoid prosecution and a criminal record by agreeing to complete a rehabilitation program and a period of probation.
David Anderson, the Mono County district attorney, said in a statement that his office disagreed with the judge's decision. 'Based on Mr. Osment's prior D.U.I. conviction, as well as his slurs toward the arresting officer, my office did not believe diversion was appropriate,' Mr. Anderson said.
A representative for Mr. Osment did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. He is scheduled to reappear in court in January, when the court will review his compliance with the orders. If he does not complete the diversion program, criminal proceedings will be restarted.
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