Kanye West Pleads Not Guilty in Battery Case
Today, in a Los Angeles court, Kanye West pleaded not guilty to charges of misdemeanor battery and attempted grand theft. The charges stem from a fight with a photographer earlier this year.
The incident between West and paparazzo Daniel Ramos occurred this past July at Los Angeles International Airport, with Ramos claiming West punched him without provocation. While prosecutors decided not to level felony charges against the rapper, each of the two misdemeanors could cost him six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
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West did not appear in court and his plea was entered by his attorney, Anthony Blair Berk, the Associated Press reports. The case will return to court on January 23rd.
Back in 2008, West was involved in a similar confrontation with a photographer at LAX; the rapper smashed his camera and subsequently was arrested on charges of felony vandalism. He was later charged with battery and grand theft. All three charges were thrown out, however, and West was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.
West is currently on the road with Kendrick Lamar in support of his sixth studio album, Yeezus, released earlier this year. Following a string of cancellations and postponements for various reasons – including an accident involving a truck carrying necessary gear – the tour is set to resume on November 16th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.