Rip Torn Cleared of Drunken Driving Charge; Rougher Road Still Ahead

LITCHFIELD, Conn. (CBS/AP) Rip Torn has gotten one black mark removed from his list of "credits."  A Connecticut judge has dropped a drunken-driving charge against Torn, after the "Men in Black" actor completed a court-ordered alcohol education program.

Torn was arrested in Dec. 2008 near his home in Salisbury. He was stopped while driving in the breakdown lane with a Christmas tree tied atop his car.

Bantam Superior Court Judge Cara Eschuck dismissed the charge Friday because Torn completed a program that gives drunken-driving defendants a chance to clear their records.

But the Emmy award-winning actor isn't quite in the clear.

Another case is pending against the 79-year-old, charging he broke into a Connecticut bank in January, armed and intoxicated.

He returns to court Tuesday, May 24 in that case, which is not likely to be erased as easily.

Torn also has two previous drunken driving arrests.

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