Rip Torn’s attorney seeking to keep actor out of prison on charges he broke into Conn. bank

Rip Torn seeks to resolve Conn. break-in charges

LITCHFIELD, Conn. — Rip Torn’s attorney says he and prosecutors are discussing a resolution to charges that Torn broke into a Connecticut bank while intoxicated and carrying a loaded gun.

Torn appeared briefly in Litchfield Superior Court on Tuesday. Attorney A. Thomas Waterfall says he hopes to resolve the case in a way that keeps the 79-year-old actor out of prison.

Torn has pleaded not guilty to trespassing, carrying a gun while intoxicated, carrying a gun without a permit, burglary and criminal mischief.

Police say he broke into the Salisbury (SAHLS’-berry) bank Jan. 29 while highly intoxicated, thinking it was his home in the rural northwestern Connecticut town.

Waterfall says Torn has gone through alcohol rehabilitation and gotten rid of all of his weapons.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LITCHFIELD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut judge has dismissed a drunken-driving charge against Rip Torn after the actor completed a court-ordered alcohol education program.

Torn was arrested in December 2008 near his home in Salisbury. He was stopped while driving in the breakdown lane with a Christmas tree tied atop his Subaru.

Bantam Superior Court Judge Cara Eschuck dismissed the charge Friday because Torn completed a program that gives drunken-driving defendants a chance to clear their records.

But another case is pending against the 79-year-old: charges that he broke into a bank in January while intoxicated and armed. He returns to court Tuesday in that case.

Torn won an Emmy for “The Larry Sanders Show.” Screen credits include the “Men in Black” movies.