Paul Simon, wife Edie Brickell arrested in Connecticut

NEW CANAAN, Conn. (WABC) -- Police in Connecticut say Paul Simon and his wife, Edie Brickell, have been arrested on disorderly conduct charges.

Police say the incident began with a hang up 911 call from the Simon household. When officers arrived, they found evidence of physical violence, describing the injuries as very minor.

Their lawyer says a marital dispute turned physical when Brickell blocked Simon's exit from a cottage on their property.

Both Simon and Brickell were arrested for disorderly conduct and summoned to appear in court Monday.

"We're fine. We had an argument. We're fine, it's over," said Simon.

The two left by separate entrances from the Norwalk courthouse after they were each arraigned on misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges.

Authorities say the charges will most likely be dropped, and there are counseling courses that can be taken.

This is first incident like this at the residence, and the chief of police says they nice, low-key residents.

At Monday's hearing, Simon and Brickell each said the other was not a threat. Judge William J. Wenzel did not issue a protective order, at the request of the couple.

"He's no threat to me," said Brickell. "Neither one of us has any reason to feel threatened. We're going to go back home today. We're going to watch our son play baseball," Simon said.

New Canaan police say the 911 call was received from the couple's home Saturday night.

"It was a hangup call, yes," said police chief Leon Krolikowski. "That's if you call 911 on a telephone and just hang up. We still get the information that there was an incident at wherever the location occurred, and we're obligated to go and determine what happened."

The officers who responded allegedly found evidence of physical violence between Simon and his wife, aggression on both sides according to New Canaan's police chief.

"The officers investigated and determined there was an altercation and there was probable cause for an arrest, and under Connecticut law we were obligated to make an arrest because it was considered domestic violence."

Simon is a music industry legend, and his marriage to Brickell is among the most enduring in rock when you consider they tied the knot more than two decades ago.

A lawyer representing both characterized their fight this way: "On a scale of 1 to 10 it was a 1, it was definitely a 1," said attorney Allen Cramer.

Simon, 72, and Brickell, 47, were asked to return to court on May 16. For now they are consulting with a court-appointed family mediator.

Simon's agent in Los Angeles did not immediately return a call seeking comment. An agent for Brickell did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Simon is a 12-time Grammy winner and member of The Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - as half of the duo of Simon and Garfunkel and as a solo artist.

Last month, he wrapped up a national tour with Sting. Most recently, Simon performed at the 25th anniversary of the Rainforest Fund benefit concert in New York on April 17.

Brickell is perhaps best known for the song "What I Am," recorded with her band the New Bohemians and released in 1988.

She collaborated last year with comedian Steve Martin, who has an acclaimed career as a folk musician, for the roots album "Love Has Come For You." The pair won a Grammy for best American Roots song in January. The two are touring and are due to perform next on May 9.

Simon and Brickell were married in 1992. They have three children together.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)