S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West doesn't appear ready to issue out a check to a paparazzo he attacked over the summer at Los Angeles International Airport and has now argued self-defense.
According to the latest reports, Mr. West said he felt putting up a brief scuffle was his only option.
Kanye West says he went after that photog at LAX because he feared for his safety … and that’s why he pulled out a can of whoop ass and used it. Kanye is responding to the civil suit filed by the paparazzo who claims Kanye assaulted him on July 19th at LAX and caused him serious injury. According to Kanye’s answer to the lawsuit, filed by Shawn Holley and obtained by TMZ … he believed “his safety was in immediate danger.” And then there’s this: “[Kanye] responded to this assault by doing only those acts that were reasonably necessary for his self-defense …” In addition to the civil lawsuit, Kanye faces criminal charges that could land him in jail for a maximum of 1 year if convicted. (TMZ)
Mr. West’s physical assault on the photographer back in July came back to bite him a few weeks ago.
City attorney’s spokesman Frank Mateljan says West was also charged Friday with one count of attempted grand theft. The rapper’s arraignment has been set for Oct. 10 but he is not required to appear if he has an attorney. Photographer Daniel Ramos claims West punched him in an unprovoked attack and wrestled his camera to the ground during an incident at the airport on July 19. Prosecutors declined to file felony charges against West, but city prosecutors decided to pursue misdemeanor charges. Each carries a penalty of up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. (ABC News)
The victim recently held a conference and accused Yeezy of giving him some nasty injuries from their Los Angeles International Airport scuffle.
Daniel Ramos appeared with his lawyer Gloria Allred at a news conference Wednesday, where Gloria announced the lawsuit for assault, battery, and interference with Daniel’s civil rights (in this case free speech). Daniel — who called himself a “filmmaker” — says he spent two weeks on crutches after the attack, and has been walking with a cane for some time. He says he’s still in pain. Gloria argued the attack sets a dangerous precedent for celebrity-on-photog violence, especially now that various celebs are actually celebrating unprovoked attacks on photogs. At one point, Gloria went after Kirstie Alley, Cher, and even Kylie Jenner for applauding Kanye’s attack on Twitter. (TMZ)
Buzz about Ramos possibly seeking legal action against Ye surfaced a day prior to the conference.
Attorney Gloria Allred is set to announce the filing of a lawsuit against Kanye West over the Yeezus rapper’s confrontation with a videographer at LAX airport in mid-July. The videographer will appear alongside Allred at a news conference on Wednesday where footage of the incident will be played. The attorney will also “strongly condemn the support that some celebrities have given Kanye West for his attack on ‘paparazzi,'” reads Allred’s statement. (The Hollywood Reporter)
