Prosecutors in Los Angeles are taking another hard look at the case against actor Kiefer Sutherland after new evidence landed on their desks in connection with an alleged assault on a rideshare driver in Hollywood.
Sutherland was arrested in January after officers responded to a radio call near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, then released on bond a short time later. Prosecutors have not said what the new material contains, and law enforcement sources say it could alter how investigators understand the timeline of what happened that night.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told NBC Los Angeles that “Our office is reviewing newly submitted evidence and the matter is under review.” Law enforcement sources told the station the fresh material appears to address where Sutherland was before the confrontation, although prosecutors declined to elaborate.
Police arrested Sutherland on Jan. 12 after officers responded to a radio call about an assault involving a rideshare driver near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Times. Investigators with the LAPD concluded the suspect entered the vehicle, physically assaulted the driver and made criminal threats toward the victim, the outlet reported. The driver did not require medical treatment. Jail records show Sutherland posted a $50,000 bond and was released while awaiting a scheduled court appearance.
Law enforcement sources told ABC7 that the driver claimed Sutherland punched him and tried to choke him, and that a dash-cam inside the vehicle may have recorded parts of the encounter. ABC also reported that some witnesses said Sutherland appeared impaired at times. Neither the actor nor his representatives have confirmed those accounts.
What the charge could mean
The arrest report listed the suspected offense as “criminal threats,” a crime covered under California Penal Code Section 422. Under that statute, the charge can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. If prosecutors decide on a felony count, a conviction could carry a sentence of up to three years in state prison. Any charging decision would require prosecutors to determine whether the alleged statements put the driver in sustained fear, as the law requires, according to California Legislative Information.
Where the case stands
Prosecutors had already sent the case back to LAPD detectives for additional investigation, NBC Los Angeles reported. The district attorney's office now says the newly submitted evidence is part of its ongoing review. That process will determine whether formal charges are filed, and officials say they will not comment further while the case remains active.
Sutherland, 59, has had prior legal troubles, including DUI convictions and a 2009 assault allegation that was ultimately dropped, the Los Angeles Times noted. His representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment as prosecutors weigh the impact of the new evidence.
