Charges dropped against Ben Affleck

10/8/2003

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Charges against Ben Affleck were dropped after New Hanover County officials said they found no evidence to support a woman's claims that the actor threatened to kill her.

District Attorney John Carriker said Tuesday that repeated attempts by Kure Beach police to contact accuser Tara Ray were unsuccessful and he dismissed the warrant.

Ray took out the warrant Saturday, alleging that Affleck threatened her on Sept. 25.

A spokesman for Affleck said the 31-year-old actor had never met Ray and was at his Georgia home that day.

Carriker criticized a system in which Ray could obtain an arrest warrant without proof the alleged incident ever occurred or without input from Kure Beach police.

"This is a very good example of why people shouldn't be able to take out a warrant without any kind of police investigation," Carriker said.

He added that officials don't plan to file charges against Ray.

Ray said Sunday she was in a romantic relationship with Affleck that started in February 2002. According to the warrant, the "Pearl Harbor" star called her and said he was coming to "blow your (expletive) head off."

Magistrate Ralph Ellen II signed the warrant, stating there was probable cause to believe the incident occurred. Carriker, however, said an investigation revealed no credible evidence that Affleck had been to Kure Beach or called the woman.