Russell Crowe avoided media today after spending six hours yesterday in a New York police station cell and, later, a Manhattan court where he faced quite serious charges of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Russell Crowe will appear in court on September 14. Since the actor has no bail restrictions, he is free to return to Australia.

Crowe told officers that an assault charge could put his visa at risk and damage his right to work in Hollywood.

It is unclear whether Crowe will shun media further during the scheduled media appearances in the US during the promotion of his new film, Cinderella Man, or head back to his wife and one-year-old son, Charles, in Sydney.

Source: Australian news agencies.

Photo: lobby at Mercer Hotel, New York. 

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