iStock/Thinkstock(LOS ANGELES) — Django Unchained actress Daniéle Watts and her boyfriend, who accused a Los Angeles police officer of mistreating the actress because she was black, pleaded no contest Monday to disturbing the peace.
Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office, tells the Los Angeles Times, that in exchange for their plea, Watts, 29, and her boyfriend, Brian James Lucas, were ordered to serve a year of formal diversion and complete 40 hours of community service. They were also ordered to write letters apologizing to the LAPD sergeant and another officer, as well as the occupants of a Ventura Boulevard building who reported them to police.
The charges stemmed from an incident in Studio City, California, last September that gained national attention after the couple alleged they were mistreated because Watts is black and Lucas is white.
L.A. police said officers responded to a call about a couple having sex in a car and Watts and Lucas matched the description of the couple.
Watts was briefly detained as officers asked for identification, but was later released, according to the police.
The LAPD initially noted that no crime was committed, but a department spokesman later claimed that a follow-up investigation “revealed witnesses who were willing to provide evidence of a criminal act.”
Watts and Lucas had characterized their actions as a “passionate public embrace” and “extended public display of affection,” according to the newspaper.
In exchanged for their plea, a lewd conduct charge was dropped against the couple.
Lou Shapiro, an attorney representing Watts and Lucas, said Monday that his clients were pleased with the outcome.
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