Rodman arrested after domestic violence call

Dennis Rodman and actress Carmen Electra were arrested on battery charges on Friday after they had a fight at a hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

Dennis Rodman and actress Carmen Electra were arrested on battery charges on Friday after they had a fight at a hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

Captain Casey Conwell said officers were called to the Bentley Hotel in South Beach at 7am after receiving reports of screaming and fighting.

They were charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor, but Conwell did not provide details, including whether either was injured.

Both were taken in handcuffs to Miami-Dade County Jail's domestic violence unit, in Miami across Biscayne Bay, and released on $2,500 bail each after several hours handcuffed in custody. They were charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor.

They were ordered by Miami-Dade County Judge Amy Karan, head of the court's domestic violence unit, to stay at least 150 meters (500 feet) from each other.

Neither was brought to Karan's courtroom, appearing via a closed-circuit television hook-up from the jail. Rodman smiled as he left, saying "Where are we going? Where are we going?" as he was led to a white Mercedes-Benz sedan that whisked him away.

"It's one of those situations," he said.

His eyes were blood-shot and he was wearing a black tank top and gray sweatpants.

A distraught Electra left minutes later in a Chevrolet Blazer. She is set to leave for Los Angeles and then Ireland on Saturday for an appearance, said their lawyer, Roy Black.

"They both told me that this was a misunderstanding between the two of them," Black said. "Neither one wants to press charges."

Rodman, a seven-time NBA rebounding champion, is in town filming a movie, "Cut Away." Black called the arrest "an overreaction."

"Both of them are upset that they have been charged," Black said. "Dennis really more upset that she has been charged."

Rodman, known for his numerous tattoos and multicolored hair, and Electra, a former star on the TV series "Baywatch" whose real name is Tara Patrick, were married on 14 November last year in Las Vegas.

Nine days after their wedding, Rodman announced he was seeking an annulment, claiming he was of unsound mind when he recited his vows.

But in February the pair again appeared together publicly, holding a news conference at the opening of a Beverly Hills, California, restaurant.

During that news conference, Rodman said he and Electra were happily married, but living in separate homes. She later attended several Los Angeles Lakers games to watch her husband play.

On 13 March, Rodman received permission to leave the Lakers to resolve personal issues and returned to the team about two weeks later. On 7 April, publicist Matt Labov said divorce papers were filed in Los Angeles by Electra.

Rodman was released by the Lakers before the season ended last April. He also has played for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons.