- Written by Stephen Macintosh
- Entertainment reporter
image source, Getty Images
Hammer appeared in Rebecca, Call Me By Your Name and Death on the Nile
Prosecutors have confirmed that US actor Armie Hammer will not be charged over the sexual assault allegations.
The star of the social network was accused two years ago of raping a woman in Los Angeles in 2017.
It was also alleged that the 36-year-old had sent a series of explicit messages on social media.
Hammer said he was “extremely grateful” to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, following their decision not to charge him.
He said he was looking forward to “beginning what will be a long and difficult process of putting my life back together again now that my name is cleared.”
The actor, who has also appeared in Call Me By Your Name, Rebecca, and Death On The Nile, has denied all criminal allegations against him.
On Wednesday, the attorney general’s office said prosecutors had conducted a “very thorough review” of the allegations, but that there was “insufficient evidence” to charge Hammer.
Insufficient evidence
Tiffinie Blacknell, director of the Office of Communications, said: “Sexual assault cases are often difficult to prove, which is why we recruit our most experienced prosecutors to review them.
“In this case, these prosecutors have conducted a very thorough review, but have determined that, at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge Mr. Hammer with a crime.”
She continued: “As prosecutors, we have an ethical responsibility to charge only cases that we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt. We know that it is difficult for women to report sexual assault.
“Even when we cannot proceed to trial, our Victim Service Representatives will be available to those seeking our Victim Support Services.
“Due to the complexity of the relationship and the inability to prove a non-consensual forced sexual encounter, we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
image source, Getty Images
Hammer (left) rose to fame in 2010’s The Social Network alongside Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Jesse Eisenberg
after the announcement, Hammer wrote on Instagram: “I am extremely grateful to the District Attorney for conducting a thorough investigation and reaching the conclusion that I stood by all this time, that no crime was committed.
“I am looking forward to beginning what will be a long and difficult process of putting my life back together again now that my name is cleared.”
In the caption, he added, “I want to give a very special thanks to all the people who helped me get through this time. Onwards and beyond.”
After initial controversy over the allegations, Hammer stepped down from his starring role opposite Jennifer Lopez in the comedy film Shotgun Wedding, and was replaced by Josh Duhamel.
He was also replaced by Miles Teller in the TV series The Offer, a drama about the making of The Godfather.
Hammer married American TV personality Elizabeth Chambers in May 2010 and has two children. The couple announced their divorce in 2020.
In September, a three-part Discovery+ series titled House Of Hammer, produced by actor Casey Hammer’s aunt, featured on-camera interviews with two alleged Hammer victims as they detailed some of the alleged abuse.
