A videotape of a raging and drunk Mel Gibson in a jail cell immediately after he was arrested in 2006 for DUI has become a huge bone of contention in a lawsuit filed by the arresting deputy.
L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy James Mee is suing his department, claiming he's the victim of religious discrimination. Mee, who is Jewish, claims he has been targeted by his superiors because of his faith.
Mee wants the jury to see a videotape of Mel Gibson in the holding cell. When TMZ broke the story about Mel's anti-Semitic rant, we referenced the video, which shows an out-of-control Mel handcuffed behind bars, complaining he had to urinate and then -- according to sources -- appearing to make an attempt to pee on the cell floor.
Law enforcement sources tell us ... the video shows Mel running around the cell and at one point even trying to scale the bars like a monkey. And when he attempted to use the phone, but couldn't get a dial tone, we're told he threw the receiver against the phone.
The County of L.A. -- the defendant -- has filed legal docs trying to block the admission of the video, arguing that it's irrelevant to Mee's religious discrimination claim and would only be used to "embarrass Mr. Gibson."
The County also believes the video would inflame the jury, because Mel is "a controversial public figure." And the County claims ... showing the video would violate Mel's right of privacy.
The judge hasn't decided whether the video is fair game.
Mel's rep declined comment.
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Unless the entire P.D. is in the cell with Gibson joining in I don't see why the tape would be relevant.
Gibson's Anti-Semitic Tirade -- Alleged Cover Up
EXCLUSIVE: MEL GIBSONTMZ has learned that Mel Gibson went on a rampage when he was arrested Friday on suspicion of drunk driving, hurling religious epithets. TMZ has also learned that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department had the initial report doctored to keep the real story under wraps.
TMZ has four pages of the original report prepared by the arresting officer in the case, L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy James Mee. According to the report, Gibson became agitated after he was stopped on Pacific Coast Highway and told he was to be detained for drunk driving Friday morning in Malibu. The actor began swearing uncontrollably. Gibson repeatedly said, "My life is f****d." Law enforcement sources say the deputy, worried that Gibson might become violent, told the actor that he was supposed to cuff him but would not, as long as Gibson cooperated. As the two stood next to the hood of the patrol car, the deputy asked Gibson to get inside. Deputy Mee then walked over to the passenger door and opened it. The report says Gibson then said, "I'm not going to get in your car," and bolted to his car. The deputy quickly subdued Gibson, cuffed him and put him inside the patrol car.
TMZ has learned that Deputy Mee audiotaped the entire exchange between himself and Gibson, from the time of the traffic stop to the time Gibson was put in the patrol car, and that the tape fully corroborates the written report.
Once inside the car, a source directly connected with the case says Gibson began banging himsel****ainst the seat. The report says Gibson told the deputy, "You mother f****r. I'm going to f*** you." The report also says "Gibson almost continually [sic] threatened me saying he 'owns Malibu' and will spend all of his money to 'get even' with me."
The report says Gibson then launched into a barrage of anti-Semitic statements: "F*****g Jews... The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." Gibson then asked the deputy, "Are you a Jew?"
The deputy became alarmed as Gibson's tirade escalated, and called ahead for a sergeant to meet them when they arrived at the station. When they arrived, a sergeant began videotaping Gibson, who noticed the camera and then said, "What the f*** do you think you're doing?"
A law enforcement source says Gibson then noticed another female sergeant and yelled, "What do you think you're looking at, sugar tits?"
We're told Gibson took two blood alcohol tests, which were videotaped, and continued saying how "f****d" he was and how he was going to "f***" Deputy Mee.
Gibson was put in a cell with handcuffs on. He said he needed to urinate, and after a few minutes tried manipulating his hands to unzip his pants. Sources say Deputy Mee thought Gibson was going to urinate on the floor of the booking cell and asked someone to take Gibson to the bathroom.
After leaving the bathroom, Gibson then demanded to make a phone call. He was taken to a pay phone and, when he didn't get a dial tone, we're told Gibson threw the receiver against the phone. Deputy Mee then warned Gibson that if he damaged the phone he could be charged with felony vandalism. We're told Gibson was then asked, and refused, to sign the necessary paperwork and was thrown in a detox cell.
Deputy Mee then wrote an eight-page report detailing Gibson's rampage and comments. Sources say the sergeant on duty felt it was too "inflammatory." A lieutenant and captain then got involved and calls were made to Sheriff's headquarters. Sources say Mee was told Gibson's comments would incite a lot of "Jewish hatred," that the situation in Israel was "way too inflammatory." It was mentioned several times that Gibson, who wrote, directed, and produced 2004's "The Passion of the Christ," had incited "anti-Jewish sentiment" and "For a drunk driving arrest, is this really worth all that?"
We're told Deputy Mee was then ordered to write another report, leaving out the incendiary comments and conduct. Sources say Deputy Mee was told the sanitized report would eventually end up in the media and that he could write a supplemental report that contained the redacted information -- a report that would be locked in the watch commander's safe.
Initially, a Sheriff's official told TMZ the arrest occurred "without incident." On Friday night, Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore told TMZ: "The L.A. County Sheriff's Department investigation into the arrest of Mr. Gibson on suspicion of driving under the influence will be complete and will contain every factual piece of evidence. Nothing will be sanitized. There was absolutely no favoritism shown to this suspect or any other. When this file is presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, it will contain everything. Nothing will be left out."
On Saturday, Gibson released the following statement:
"After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed. I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the LA County Sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person. I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said. Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry. I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health."
Well, just from the fact that the police department is vehemently defending Mel's sensibilities and his "privacy" from actions in a public holding cell, they obviously screwed over the cop in favor of Mel. I think it's obvious that Mel has a friend high up in the police department dishing-out some revenge for him!
You MUST get this video!
Has nothing to do with this idiot's case, but I repeat - YOU MUST GET THIS VIDEO!
Get over it, the guy has been persecuted, lost roles in films and paid the price of screwing up. Sounds to me like this guys beef is with the sheriffs department and nothing to do with Mel. Stop trying to make yourself famous from someone else's mistakes, its gross.
Absolute BS. The tape of Mel in his holding cell has NOTHING to do with Mee's case. This guy is flat-out obsessed with Gibson in a very creepy way and is trying to use the man's celebrity to further his case. Simply because he has nothing else. Total putz.
Is this a joke. Pulling a lawsuite. For what? Mel Gibson, money.
This was all over the place like 6 years ago. Nothing new. Deputy Mee is suing his department NOW for 'religious discrimination'. Mee is Jewish so what, Gibson is Catholic so what.
brother, this guy will not let up. Just seeing him pull this stuff makes me think there is a long list that the Sheriff's department has on this ex deputy and thus the reason for all this.
Mel is just a way for him to make noise.
How the f*ck do you "throw the receiver against the phone?" I can't even picture that.
disinter:
Unless the entire P.D. is in the cell with Gibson joining in I don't see why the tape would be relevant.
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Well obviously to continue to embarrass him because Follywood does not want Mr. Mel to proceed . See my comment on this thread #227: http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/23/mel-gibson-robyn-gibson-divorced/16/#c5057269
things come in twins, you see, and Triads protect, so proceed .
The tape has EVERYTHING to do with the case.
The cop was shuttled BECAUSE of Mel.
Mel orchestrated the whole thing to cover up what he did.
He had the cop silenced and shut down to make sure that the public did not get to see what his behavior really was.
Team Mel is doing damage control posting here.
It. Will. Not. Work. Team. Mel.
The truth is getting out!
Now is it not true that Officer Mee had conflicts regarding sexual harrassment with women officers , not certain but that has been the story And if so ,,, well then ,,, how can the pot call the kettle black .
Law enforcement has enough issues as in reveal what happened to the 'orginal investigation' regarding the drowning of Natalie Wood . Because dirty is Follywood and Mee is connected to it obviously .
Damn this anti-semitic ****head! Please go back to Australia where you're from you piece of ******* dog **** mother ******!
