Prosecutor: Not Enough Evidence To Charge Edsel Ford II In Alleged Domestic Violence Case

GROSSE POINTE FARMS (WWJ) - The great-grandson of Henry Ford will not face charges following his arrest on domestic violence allegations.

An arraignment hearing for Edsel Ford II was canceled Tuesday morning after Grosse Pointe Farms City Prosecutor Robert Ihrie announced that there was insufficient evidence to bring any charges against the auto magnate.

The 67-year-old was taken into custody at his home on Lake Shore Road around 11:30 p.m. Monday and spent the night in jail following a "very minor" physical assault involving his wife, according to police.

Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety Director Dan Jensen told reporters that there were signs a physical altercation had occurred at the home, but no obvious signs of physical injuries. He described the assault as "hands placed on a person."

"There was no knock-down, drag-out battle here, but hands were placed on each other, or hands were placed. That takes it from the level of a verbal assault to a physical assault," said Jensen. "When that occurs, we don't make the determination 'Oh, there's no scratches or cuts or blood,' we make the arrest based upon the physical assault."

Jensen said Ford's wife reported the assault to police and mentioned that alcohol was involved. She also recorded video of the argument, reportedly following advice from a therapist, but police say the video did not capture the physical altercation.

Although his wife did not want to pursue charges, Ford was taken into custody at the scene due to local laws, Jensen said.

"The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, several years ago, came up with guidelines that you will make an arrest on the vast majority of domestic violence cases because of past cases where spouses got together after they said they would separate and there was serious injury and/or death committed," he said. "However, an investigation has to be done on scene to determine whether there's enough probable cause to make that arrest. We just don't go over there and take one person's word over another."

Ford is expected to be released from custody Tuesday afternoon.

Ford began his career at Ford Motor Company in 1974 and was elected to the board of directors in 1988. He was named president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Credit Company in 1991 and elected a company vice president in 1993. He currently serves on the finance committee and sustainability and innovation committee.

Ford is also the owner and chairman of Pentastar Aviation, an aviation services provider headquartered at Oakland County International Airport, and is majority owner and chairman of Marketing Associates, a Detroit-based marketing services company.

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