S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West has a serious lawsuit on his hands as the photographer he now infamously attacked last month in Los Angeles is speaking out on the injuries.
Photographer Daniel Ramos held a conference yesterday (August 21) 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 early yesterday.
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)
Mr. West recently had a potential felony assault case dropped.
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)
Yeezy’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)
