S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West can once again go back to focusing on fatherhood and making classic tunes as reports claim he will not face felony charges from a recent Los Angeles International Airport scuffle.
According to reports, Mr. West no longer has to worry about potential felony assault and attempted robbery charges.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office on Friday declined to file felony assault and attempted robbery charges against the singer and referred the issue to the L.A. city attorney to see if the incident warranted a misdemeanor charge. West, who has long maintained a hostile stance toward paparazzi and even rapped about his contempt for the media, was captured on video July 19 wrestling the photographer to the ground. (Los Angeles Times)
Mr. West’s fate ultimately came down to video footage not showing enough evidence.
Deputy Dist. Atty Amy-Hannah Broersma wrote that West and “attacked a freelance photographer” who was subsequently treated for contusion and muscle strain at Marina del Rey Hospital. She wrote that the case was declined after investigators from the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division presented the case and a video of the incident was reviewed. The prosecutor said an attempted robbery charged was declined because there was insufficient evidence of any “specific intent.” She added that felony assault charges were rejected because the victim did not sustain significant injuries. The prosecutor noted the victim’s camera was not booked into evidence and “it is unknown whether it was damaged, therefore vandalism charges were not considered.” The singer’s lawyer has insisted that West was simply trying to stop the photographer from taking a picture. (Los Angeles Times)
In late July, reports claimed Mr. West would likely avoid serious charges from the mid-July incident.
Kanye West must have a really good lawyer, because law enforcement sources tell us it’s virtually certain he will NOT be charged with ANY crime in connection with last week’s paparazzo attack. Here’s the way we’re told it will play out. LAPD robbery detectives are investigating the photog’s allegation that Kanye tried to steal his camera — but our sources say that dog won’t hunt. The D.A. will NEVER charge Kanye with felony attempted robbery, because there’s no proof he tried to pilfer the camera at LAX. (TMZ)
The reports also suggest Ye could throw up a few dollars to make the incident fizzle away.
We’re told cops will send the attempted robbery file to the D.A. and they expect it will be rejected within days. The next step — the file goes to the L.A. City Attorney for a possible misdemeanor criminal battery prosecution. But here’s why that won’t happen. We’re told Kanye is willing to ante up some cash to make the case go away, and it’s perfectly legal. It’s called a civil compromise and it’s done everyday. (TMZ)
