Celebrities accused of crimes they never committed

Being accused of a crime is a serious thing, and some famous faces have been falsely accused of offenses they never committed. Some of these allegations were taken to court and the cases were dismissed, but there have also been occasions where celebs were charged and convicted, only for their innocence to be proven years later.

In this gallery, you'll get to know some of the crimes celebrities have been falsely accused of. Click on.

Nicolas Cage

Actress Kathleen Turner, who was Cage's co-star in 'Peggy Sue Got Married' in 1986, accused the actor of stealing a dog and being arrested for a DUI.

Nicolas Cage sued Turner. Cage's lawyer told the court that the false accusations had "caused damage to the claimant's personal and professional reputation." In the end, Kathleen Turner had to pay for Cage's legal costs and make a donation to charity. 

Snoop Dogg

The case lasted for nearly three years, but in the end, the jurors acquitted the then-24-year-old rapper of murder. 

Keanu Reeves

The photographer's evidence was easily broken apart after a radiologist confirmed that the wrist injury was sustained playing soccer when Silva was a child. 

Amy Winehouse

In 2009, the late singer was accused of punching a dancer called Sherene Flash in London. The story was that Winehouse told Flash to wait to take a pic with her, but the dancer threw herself at her, and the singer punched her.

The singer was found not guilty. "Having heard the evidence from all the witnesses, I cannot be sure that this was not an accident. The charge is dismissed and the defendant discharged," said the judge while delivering the verdict.

Cat Stevens

In 2004, British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, also known as Yusuf Islam, was flying from London to Washington, DC, when his plane was diverted to Maine. The singer was then detained and deported. 

The reason for the deportation, according to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, was that Cat Stevens had connections with terrorist groups in the Middle East.

The singer described the situation as "totally ridiculous." Yusuf Islam then said, "Everybody knows who I am. I am no secret figure. Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace."

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter

In 1966, boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was charged with a triple homicide and given three life sentences. A number of famous people supported Carter's innocence, but he was charged and locked up. 

Ruggero Deodato

Italian film director Ruggero Deodato is best known for the 1980 horror film 'Cannibal Holocaust.' The violence looked so realistic that Deodato got in trouble with the law. An Italian court accused the director of killing his own actors.

Todd Bridges

In 1989, actor Todd Bridges, best known for his role in 'Diff'rent Strokes' (1978–1986), was accused of shooting a drug dealer eight times. Bridges was acquitted of the murder charges. 

Venus Williams

In 2017, Venus Williams was driving very slowly at an intersection when a car crashed into hers. Williams wasn't hurt, but the driver of the other vehicle and her passenger were injured. The latter died weeks later as a result.  Eyewitnesses reported that the tennis player had run a red light, so she was blamed for the crash.    

Mabel Normand

In 1922, the American silent film actress, best known for her many movies with Charlie Chaplin, was accused of murdering her friend, director William Desmond Taylor.

Jane Fonda

In 1972, Jane Fonda crossed enemy lines and visited North Vietnam. This was not very well received by many Americans, especially after she posed for a photo sitting on an anti-aircraft gun, which was used to combat American aircraft. 

Years later, the actress came to regret her decision to take the photo and recognized how distressful it was for US troops and their families.