Entertainer Trini Lopez should be charged with a felony, not a misdemeanor, in the beating of his former girlfriend, the woman’s lawyer says.
Gloria Allred, who also represents the family of Nicole Brown Simpson, said Monday that violence against women is not being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Besides the Lopez case, Allred cited O.J. Simpson’s abuse of Nicole Brown Simpson as an example. In 1989, Simpson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery.
Rose Mihata, 55, claims Lopez beat her five times over the last 10 years. Mihata was hospitalized Sept. 22 with bruises and shortness of breath.
A misdemeanor was filed because Mihata’s injuries were not serious and Lopez had no prior criminal record, prosecutor Patricia Kelly said.
Lopez’s arraignment was set for Oct. 31.
Lopez, 57, is known for the 1960s hit songs “Lemon Tree” and “If I Had a Hammer.”
He also co-starred in “The Dirty Dozen” and other movies.
