When Malibu police responded to a reported shooting February 3rd at the home of character actor Ryan O’Neal, he had every defense he needed for illegal discharge of a firearm and attempted murder… he was apparently just firing a warning shot at his son, with whom he was brawling. Sure, Griffin O’Neal attacked dear old dad with a fireplace poker, leaving bruises on the 66 year old star of such screen gems as “Love Story” and “Paper Moon”, but witness accounts conflicted, so after three-months of consideration, charges will not be filed.

The senior O’Neal’s attorney said, “It’s a tremendous relief for Mr. O’Neal to have this resolved favorably in this manner.” Dad has been free on a $50,000 bond, the younger Griffin was not arrested or charged. Since daddy-o will not face criminal charges, Griffin O’Neal and his girlfriend “will now explore all of their legal options,” including a civil lawsuit to sap the inheritance prior to death.

The father and son have had their disagreements before, though not in almost twenty-years. The Los Angeles Times reported that police were called in 1983 after a fight in which Ryan O’Neal knocked out two of his son’s teeth. No charges were filed. Griffin was also convicted of reckless boating in 1986 for an accident that killed the son of film director Francis Ford Coppola, but was later only given an 18 day jail sentence for failing to perform the community service sentence. He also pleaded no contest in two unrelated cases to drunk driving and shooting at the unoccupied car of an estranged girlfriend.

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