Court Hearing Set for Mickey Rooney

Entertainer Mickey Rooney is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Municipal Court next week for allegedly beating his wife at their Westlake home.

Rooney, 76, was arrested Feb. 9 on suspicion of spousal battery after his eighth wife, Jan, called police.

Two Ventura County sheriff’s deputies went to the Rooney home at 8:48 p.m. They said the actor’s wife told them he had grabbed her, then hit her on the arm during a fight about 36 hours earlier.

The officers saw a bruise on Jan Rooney’s arm. At 10:10 p.m., police arrested Rooney.

Deputies brought the actor to the East Valley Sheriff’s Station, where they interviewed him for about 30 minutes. He was cooperative, officials said.

Rooney posted $10,000 bail and returned home before midnight, authorities said.

Prosecutors said they have not decided whether to file felony charges against the entertainer.

“We’re still reviewing,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Patrice Koenig. “We should have a decision by the 10th.”

Rooney was ordered to appear in court Tuesday for an arraignment, in the event charges are filed.

The entertainer’s Encino-based attorney declined to comment on the case.