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Los Angeles - Justin Bieber will not face charges for an alleged altercation with a man who was taking photos of him at a suburban shopping centre in May, Los Angeles prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Deputy District Attorney Mara McIlvain said in a report that there was "insufficient evidence for proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that the Canadian singer scuffled with paparazzo Jose Hernandez-Duran, before leaving the shopping centre with his girlfriend Selena Gomez.
The photographer accused Bieber of leaving a van to kick him in the abdomen and punch him in the face. Officials were called to the scene in Calabasas, 48km west of Los Angeles, and found no apparent injury or trauma to the photographer.
Later, a doctor's evaluation indicated "minor swelling" to the photographer's right cheek and "redness" on his lower abdomen but labelled the injuries "superficial".
No photographic evidence
McIlvain's report indicated that Bieber became frustrated when photographers obstructed his vehicle as he attempted to leave the shopping centre. He then left the vehicle, charged at Hernandez-Duran and fell after taking a swing at his camera.
Witnesses told investigators they could not determine if Bieber had struck Hernandez-Duran, who kept on taking photos of the singer after the incident. They said the photographer was approached by a lawyer soon after the run-in.
McIlvain said there were no photos of a scuffle between Bieber and Hernandez-Duran, even though many photographers were present.
Bieber's publicist could not be reached for comment.
Deputy District Attorney Mara McIlvain said in a report that there was "insufficient evidence for proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that the Canadian singer scuffled with paparazzo Jose Hernandez-Duran, before leaving the shopping centre with his girlfriend Selena Gomez.
The photographer accused Bieber of leaving a van to kick him in the abdomen and punch him in the face. Officials were called to the scene in Calabasas, 48km west of Los Angeles, and found no apparent injury or trauma to the photographer.
Later, a doctor's evaluation indicated "minor swelling" to the photographer's right cheek and "redness" on his lower abdomen but labelled the injuries "superficial".
No photographic evidence
McIlvain's report indicated that Bieber became frustrated when photographers obstructed his vehicle as he attempted to leave the shopping centre. He then left the vehicle, charged at Hernandez-Duran and fell after taking a swing at his camera.
Witnesses told investigators they could not determine if Bieber had struck Hernandez-Duran, who kept on taking photos of the singer after the incident. They said the photographer was approached by a lawyer soon after the run-in.
McIlvain said there were no photos of a scuffle between Bieber and Hernandez-Duran, even though many photographers were present.
Bieber's publicist could not be reached for comment.
