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Prosecutors won't charge ABC sports director

By CHRIS TISCH
Published May 31, 2005

LARGO - Prosecutors will not pursue a domestic battery charge against ABC Action News sports director Al Keck, who was arrested May 3 after a dispute with his wife.

Pinellas deputies arrested Keck, 50, after his wife, Cheryl Keck, said he pushed her into a concrete column during an argument at their Largo home. Deputies saw scrapes on her arm and knee.

While being booked at the Pinellas jail, Al Keck complained of chest pains and was taken to a local hospital. He was released on his own recognizance.

Later that day, Cheryl Keck recanted her account of what happened and said she simply fell. Though prosecutors have charged people with filing false police reports in situations like this, it's unlikely they will in this case.

"I don't know that there would be a whole lot to be gained in this situation by doing that," said Bruce Bartlett, the chief assistant in State Attorney Bernie McCabe's office.

ABC Action News general manager Bill Carey said the day of the arrest that the station would look into the situation. Carey could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

[Last modified May 31, 2005, 19:14:02]