David Del Rio exits Matlock amid sexual assault allegations

David Del Rio, a series regular on the CBS legal drama Matlock, was removed from the show and dismissed following an internal investigation into a sexual assault allegation reported by his co-star Leah Lewis, people familiar with the matter said. The incident was reported on October 2 and is alleged to have occurred on studio property on September 26, after which Del Rio was escorted from the production lot and later notified of his termination.

Studio officials confirmed Del Rio’s departure but declined to provide additional details. Production sources said scripts are being revised to account for the exit of Del Rio’s character, Billy Martinez, who appeared in every episode of Matlock’s first season and the first half of the second season. The show will not include his character in the second half of Season 2, which has a preplanned filming hiatus and is scheduled to resume after Thanksgiving. The second season is set to premiere on October 12.

Lewis, who plays first year associate Sarah Franklin on the series, posted a photograph on her Instagram Stories with her mother and thanked supporters, writing in part, "Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in...