Actor Arrested, Removed as Commencement Speaker at Rutgers-Newark
Wendell Pierce, known for such shows as 'The Wire' was arrested over the weekend. He was supposed to be the commencement speaker at Rutger-Newark's graduation. He has been replaced.
Pierce was arrested Saturday night after a fight in an Atlanta hotel. He was scheduled to pick up an honorary degree from Rutgers as well.
According to NJ.com,
"This morning Rutgers University- Newark was informed by actor and humanitarian Wendell Pierce that in order to assure that commencement 2016 will be a celebration of the accomplishments of our students free of distractions, he is declining to join us and consequently must decline the conferral of an honorary degree," Rutgers officials said in a statement.
Pierce has been replaced by journalist Soledad O'Brien.
There has been no comment from Pierce.