'American Pie' Singer Don McLean Has Domestic Assault Charge Dismissed

CAMDEN, ME — Domestic assault and terrorizing charges in Maine against "American Pie" singer-songwriter Don McLean were dismissed Thursday under the terms of his plea deal.

McLean stayed out of trouble with the law for a year and paid a $3,000 fine to settle three other charges that remain on his record: domestic violence criminal threatening; criminal restraint and criminal mischief.

McLean pleaded guilty last year in Rockland under a "deferred disposition" process, in which some of the charges could be wiped away if a defendant met certain conditions. (For more Across Maine news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

His lawyer, Walter McKee, said McLean never physically assaulted his ex-wife, Patrisha, during a dispute at their Camden home in January 2016. He said his famous client "prevailed" on the domestic violence assault charge that was "the most serious and damaging of all the charges."

"Mr. McLean will continue to clear his name of any and all accusations against his character and reputation," the attorney said.

The two had been married for 30 years and were going through a divorce at the time. A protection order was granted in March of this year.

Photo credit: Mark Humphrey/Associated Press