Packer told Good Morning America on Friday that Smith was not removed from the room because Rock did not want to. But according to Deadline is not that right. Rock had told Packer he didn’t want to press charges. If he did, Los Angeles Police Department officers would have removed Smith and detained him. But the comedian was never just asked if he wanted Smith to be evicted from the building.
The producer said that after the blow, the agents started talking to Rock. The producer was at that meeting and says he urged Rock to at least let the police explain his options. “Then the officers asked, ‘Do you want us to take action?’ and Rock said, ‘No.’”
“The problem with all of this is that the responsibility has been placed on Rock whether or not to remove Smith,” writes Deadline. “And that is not the case. Packer never asked Rock that question.”
The Academy announced on Wednesday that the organization has initiated disciplinary proceedings over the incident. Smith faces suspension or even expulsion from the prestigious organization.
