Judge Mandates Shia LaBeouf's Return to Rehab and $100,000 Bond in Mardi Gras Battery Case
A New Orleans judge has issued a stern order requiring actor Shia LaBeouf to return to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and set a substantial $100,000 bond on Thursday. This decisive action follows the film star being formally charged with two counts of battery related to an alleged violent assault outside a bar during the city's iconic Mardi Gras celebrations.
Courtroom Appearance and Judicial Admonishment
LaBeouf appeared in Orleans Parish Criminal Court dressed in a casual fleece jacket and jeans tucked into cowboy boots. Judge Simone Levine did not mince words, admonishing the actor for allegedly shouting homophobic slurs while physically attacking multiple individuals near the historic French Quarter district. According to the official police report, the altercation was severe enough to dislocate one victim's nose, highlighting the violent nature of the incident.
Weekly Drug Testing and Judicial Concerns
In addition to the rehabilitation mandate, Judge Levine ordered LaBeouf to submit to rigorous weekly drug tests, including an immediate on-the-spot test conducted right in the courthouse. LaBeouf complied with this order, and his attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, confirmed that the initial test did not detect any illegal substances in his system. However, the judge expressed deep concerns about public safety, particularly for marginalized communities.
"This defendant does not take his alcohol addiction seriously," Levine stated emphatically during the hearing. "This court does not believe he understands the level of seriousness when it comes to these allegations." She specifically referenced the LGBTQ+ community, noting they have endured significant trauma and that LaBeouf's actions posed a threat to their safety.
Victim's Account and Homophobic Targeting
Jeffrey Damnit, a local entertainer identified in police documents as Jeffrey Klein, provided a harrowing account to The Associated Press. He alleged that LaBeouf repeatedly punched him while using homophobic slurs and threatening his life. Damnit believes he was specifically targeted because of his appearance, which included wearing makeup and eyeliner.
"This guy wants me to be dead because I wear makeup," Damnit revealed. "It's a screwed-up thing." His testimony underscores the alleged hate-motivated nature of the assault, which has drawn widespread condemnation.
Judicial Review and Post-Arrest Behavior
Judge Levine disclosed that when she initially released LaBeouf without bond shortly after his arrest on February 17, she had not yet reviewed the full police report. That report detailed the actor allegedly returning to a bar after being asked to leave and striking people with a closed fist while hurling homophobic insults. Surveillance videos have since surfaced, corroborating these accounts by showing LaBeouf hitting multiple individuals.
Interestingly, after his release from custody, LaBeouf was spotted dancing in the French Quarter streets during Mardi Gras, a behavior that raised further questions about his conduct and accountability.
Restrictions and Denied Travel Request
The court imposed strict conditions on LaBeouf, ordering him to stay away from the victims and the bar where the violent episode occurred. Furthermore, Judge Levine denied a request from LaBeouf to travel to Rome in March for what he described as "religious observations, including his father's baptism." This denial reflects the court's prioritization of legal proceedings and public safety over personal travel plans.
During the hearing, Levine voiced concerns about LaBeouf's ability to manage his alcohol consumption, questioning whether he "could handle his alcohol." In response, his attorney argued that "being drunk on Mardi Gras is not a crime," though this did not sway the judge's rulings.
LaBeouf's Response and Legal Status
Shia LaBeouf posted the required $100,000 bond and declined to comment to reporters gathered outside the courtroom. He has not yet formally entered a plea to the battery charges. When approached in a court hallway after undergoing a drug and alcohol test prior to the judge's order, he stated bluntly, "No, I won't say a word. God bless you, leave me alone." This reticence leaves his legal strategy and personal stance unclear as the case progresses.
