The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has decided not to press charges against Rick Springfield for spousal abuse. The case stemmed from Springfield's Sept. 18 arrest for allegedly striking his wife Barbara at their Malibu home.

"The case is not provable because the only evidence that the victim was assaulted is the hearsay statements made to her sister," prosecutors said in a statement released Tuesday.

The former pop star was arrested last month at his home following a 911 call made by his sister-in-law, who overheard the couple arguing. She reportedly hung up before fully reporting the incident, but a dispatcher sent a car to the Springfield's Malibu home, just to make sure that there wasn't an emergency. Upon entering the home, sheriff deputies noticed that Barbara Springfield had scratches on her arm and face and there was some swelling, so they took Springfield into custody. He spent the night in the L.A. County Jail, and was released after posting a $50,000 bond.

Now, three weeks later, Springfield's wife and sister-in-law have changed their tune, and declined to file charges. "This victim is non-desirous of prosecution and refuses to be interviewed further," said the prosecutor in his report.

Springfield's spokesperson has maintained that the arrest was always a mistake and the couple is happily married. However, at the time of his arrest, Springfield explained that he was attempting to defend himself against his wife of eighteen years by grabbing her arm after she threw a jar at him.

Springfield canceled a show in Hanford, Calif., on Sat. Oct. 7, but according to promoters it had nothing to do with his arrest but rather a throat infection he had contracted.

JAAN UHELSZKI
(October 12, 2000)