Kanye West pleads not guilty to battery charge of photographer

Kanye West pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of battery and attempted grand theft.

The charges stem from an altercation the rapper had with Daniel Ramos in July, Reuters reports.

Gloria Allred, Ramos' attorney, claims that he still is suffering from a hip injury from the incident where West allegedly lunged at Ramos. Allred believes that the case will go to trial and each charge is a misdemeanor that has a maximum sentence of six months of jail.

Los Angeles Times notes that West did not attend, but his lawyer, Blair Berk, made the plea on his behalf. Another hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23 and West is not required to be there either.

Deputy District Attorney Amy-Hanna Broersma said that the rapper "attacked a freelance photographer," but the case was passed on for felony prosecution after videotaped evidence of the incident was reviewed. The camera was not turned in as evidence so "it is unknown whether it was damaged, therefore vandalism charges were not considered."

Ramos told reporters, "When Kanye West attacked me, I was in complete shock." The photographer is looking for general and punitive damages.

image: Wikimedia Commons

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