Actually I think it was fear of starting another Shampoo style being hunted situation that lead to him claiming to not hit girls.
Sorry about not getting back to this sooner. September 2 was my 33rd birthday and then one thing after another kept me busy up until getting in on the last day of Early Voting for a Special Election here in NV Friday evening. I'm kinda lucky I've been able to keep up with my online web streamed shows.