Denzel Washington given conditional discharge after attempting to strangle Aretha Franklin

20-year-old Denzel Washington took a plea deal on Wednesday for attempting to strangle his mother, 52-year-old Aretha Franklin.

The altercation happened inside the mother’s apartment in Manhattan, New York, according to a criminal complaint.



“I am informed by Aretha Franklin,” the complaint says, “that she observed the defendant place his hands around her neck and apply pressure, thereby causing redness, bruising and substantial pain to her neck.”

Washington pleaded guilty to an harassment charge and was sentenced to a conditional discharge and an anger management programme . Washington was also ordered to stay away from Franklin's apartment.