No domestic violence charges for Edsel Ford II after arrest

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. — A Michigan city attorney ruled Tuesday that there was insufficient evidence to charge the great-grandson of Ford Motor Co. founder Henry Ford with domestic violence against his wife in an incident late Monday night at their home here.

Edsel Ford II spent the night in jail after his arrest, Grosse Pointe Farms Police Detective Lt. Rich Rosati said, but was to be released after the city attorney's decision.

Ford, 67, a member of the Ford Motor Co. (F) board of directors, was arrested shortly before midnight after police were called to the couple's home in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., Rosati said.

But the city attorney Tuesday morning found there wasn't enough evidence to pursue charges, he said. Noting there were no other witnesses or any obvious injuries, Rosati called it "a he-said she-said kind of situation."

At a news conference Tuesday morning, Daniel Jensen, Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety director, said alcohol was involved. Cynthia Ford called police about 11:30 p.m.

"There was a sign there had been some physical altercation," Jensen said, adding it was a "very minor" physical assault — just hands placed on person.

"There was no felonious assault. There was contact made, which is what brings us into arrest mode," Jensen said, noting that Michigan law requires an arrest when there is physical contact. He said Cynthia Ford did not want to press charges.

At one point, Ford took the phone away from his wife, Jensen said, but he gave it back and she was still able to call police.

Rosati said the couple have been going to marriage counseling.

Ford is the son of Henry Ford II and a cousin of company Chairman William Clay Ford Jr. He is married to the former Cynthia Layne Neskow and they have four sons, according to his company bio from Ford Motor Co.

In a statement issued Tuesday morning, Ford Motor Co. said: "We are aware of what has been reported in the press, but it would be inappropriate to comment on personal matters."

Follow Robert Allen on Twitter: @rallenMI