Ryan O’Newal (R) in a still from Malibu's Most Wanted (2003)

Washington, Feb. 6: Actor Ryan O’Neal’s has fielded self-defense as an alibi for his alleged assault on his own son, Griffin, during a family party on Saturday night.

His manager Neil Hassman said that the ‘Love Story’ star was defending himself after Griffin became violent and began "wildly swinging a fireplace poker".

Hassman claims that the dispute came after O’Neal, actress Farrah Fawcett, and some of their friends returned from a dinner celebrating her birthday.

"It is unfortunate that what should have been an internal family disagreement was escalated to the point that Ryan felt he had to defend himself from Griffin's aggressive, extremely menacing physical behavior," HAssman said.

Hassman even maintained that it was Griffin who caused slight injuries to his own pregnant girlfriend, not his father.

O’Neal was booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm after a fight with his son Griffin during that party on Feb 3. (ANI)

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