Mark Robert Milan/GC ImagesRussell Crowe is free to go.
E! News confirms that the Los Angeles District Attorney won't be pursing prosecution of the Gladiator star in an alleged hotel fight involving Azealia Banks due to lack of sufficient evidence. According to legal documents obtained by E! News, attendees and other eyewitnesses stated Banks was actually the "assaultive party," not Crowe.
As E! News reported in October, the 25-year-old rapper filed a police report against the Oscar-winning actor following an alleged fight that transpired at a Beverly Hills hotel.
In a since deleted Facebook post, Banks claimed Crowe "called me a n----r, choked me, threw me out and spat at me" during a party in the actor's suite. At the time, multiple eyewitness accounts stated that Banks laughed at Crowe's music and called him and another attendee "boring white men."
After Banks allegedly continued to make a scene, Crowe reportedly grabbed her in a bear hug and carried her out before calling security to remove her from the property. As for how Banks ended up at Crowe's party, reports said she was a guest of RZA, who casted Crowe in a film he wrote and directed called The Man With the Iron Fists.
RZA stood by Crowe's side in the aftermath of Banks' claims.
"Peace. Normally I don't respond to negative social media attacks towards me. Yet in this case of Azealia Banks I'm compelled to respond," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Firstly I only wish the best for her and any struggling artist in this complex industry.
"I heard the rumors of her problems in the industry but disregarded them with the rationality everyone is innocent until proven guilty," he continued. "So my producer and I fought for her to be in the film and we succeeded. During the filming process things ran smooth and she delivered. Thus my only experience with her had been professional. The only brief social moment was at the wrap party. Therefore 'I HAD NO REAL EXPERIENCE OF HER SOCIAL BEHAVIOR...'"