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Domestic Violence Charge Against Singer Michelle Branch Dropped By Prosecutors
The "Everywhere" singer was arrested on a misdemeanor charge in Nashville after she allegedly slapped her husband, Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, across the face. The alleged incident came hours after Branch publicly accused Carney of cheating.
Prosecutors have decided not to charge singer Michelle Branch following an allegation of domestic violence.
The 39-year-old “Everywhere” singer and songwriter was arrested for allegedly slapping her husband, Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, earlier this month. As first reported by TMZ, prosecutors in Tennessee have declined to move forward with criminal proceedings, though it was unclear why or how they came to that decision.
According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by Oxygen.com, officers in Nashville responded to reports of a possible domestic disturbance at the couple’s shared home just after 2:00 a.m. on Aug. 11. Police interviewed the husband and wife separately.
“Michelle stated that she and her husband are having marital issues and had been arguing,” according to charging documents. “The argument began at another location and continued when they arrived home.”
At the height of the altercation, Branch slapped Carney “one to two times,” according to her own admission. Police noted the victim had no visible injuries, but he, too, alleged that Branch slapped him in the face.
Branch was arrested without incident and charged with misdemeanor domestic assault.
Court records show Branch was remanded to a 12-hour-hold, but that was amended to five hours in light of Branch breastfeeding the couple's infant.
Hours before the assault, Branch's Twitter account claimed that Carney had been cheating on her, according to TMZ.
Several media outlets in the music industry said the singer accused Carney of cheating with his manager, though the since-deleted tweet could not be confirmed by Oxygen.com. Branch claimed the alleged infidelity occurred while she was home caring for their 6-month-old child.
On the same day of the alleged assault, Branch told TMZ reporters that she and Carney were separating after three years of marriage.
“To say that I am totally devastated doesn’t even come close to describing how I feel for myself and for my family,” Branch told the outlet. “The rug has been completely pulled from underneath me and now I must figure out how to move forward. With such small children, I ask for privacy and kindness."
Branch formally filed for divorce on Aug. 13, just two days after the alleged assault.
In the filing, Branch cited irreconcilable differences and sought custody of the couple’s 4-year-old son and 6-month-old daughter, according to People. She also requested that Carney have “reasonable parenting time privileges” while paying child support.
Michelle Branch also has a 10-year-old daughter from her previous marriage to Teddy Landau.
Patrick Carney’s reps did not respond to Oxygen.com for comment.
