Oscar-winning film star Mel Gibson was approved by judge to
serve the rest of his probation without appearing in court again,
U.S. media reported Thursday.?
"You're on your own now with the self-help groups, so this is
the most difficult time for you," said Superior Court Judge
Lawrence Mira Tuesday while approving his progress.?
"Good luck to you as you continue your rehabilitation," said
Mira.
Gibson will remain on probation for about 18 more months but no
more progress reports are necessary.
"Gibson attended five AA meetings every week for nearly five
months and three per week for seven months," said Deputy District
Attorney Gina Satriano.
He also completed a 90-day program for drunken-driving offenders
that included individual and group counseling, said Datriano.
The 52-year-old "Passion of the Christ" director once made
worldwide news by unleashing an anti-Semitic tirade during his 2006
arrest for drunk driving.
After his no-contest plea, Gibson was sentenced to three years
of probation, paid about 1,600 U.S. dollars in fines and had to
attend Alcoholics Anonymous and other meetings.
The star later apologized for making the derogatory comments
about Jews to the sheriff's deputy who arrested him.
Gibson won an Academy Award as the director of 1995's "Brave
Heart." His "Passion of the Christ," released in 2004, became one
of the highest-grossing films of the decade.
(Xinhua/Agencies February 15, 2008)