Money Matters, Simplified.
No charges for Tyson for punching paparazzi at LAX
by Natalie James - January 1, 2010 - comments
Tyson’s attorney, Shawn Champion Holley, emphasized at the time that the champ acted in self-defense to protect his family
Los Angeles, January 1 -- Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson and a photographer who provoked the boxing icon’s ire at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) last month won't face charges over their altercation, prosecutors said Thursday.
In November, retired boxing world champion Tyson allegedly had punched a paparazzo at LAX who was trailing him from terminal to terminal to take pictures of him, his wife and 10-month-old daughter.
No charges against former fighter
But, the Los Angeles, California prosecutors’ office has decided not to bring charges against Tyson for his physical altercation with 50-year-old photographer Tony Echevarria at LAX airport on Nov., 11, according to multiple tabloid reports.
The city prosecutors said Thursday they found insufficient evidence to charge Tyson and photographer Tony Echeverria.
In a statement Thursday, Frank Mateljan, spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office, said, “After a full and thorough review, we’ve decided not to file charges against either party due to insufficient evidence.”
"We took a look at the evidence and concluded that there was insufficient evidence that either party was at fault beyond a reasonable doubt," the CelebrityCafe.com quoted Mateljan as saying. "It didn't rise to the level of filing a charge."
Prosecutors’ decision welcomed
Tyson’s attorney, Shawn Champion Holley, emphasized at the time that the champ acted in self-defense to protect his family.
In response to the city prosecutors office’s decision Holley said, “The city attorney's decision today is a small victory for those who continue to be harassed, annoyed and even stalked by the paparazzi.”
Pap’s overaggressive action prompted the fight
The incident occurred at Terminal 7 on Nov. 11 when Tyson was passing through LAX from Europe en route to Las Vegas and a celebrity pap began taking his pictures at the United Airlines terminal.
Tyson was traveling with his wife, Lakiha Spicer, and 10-month-old daughter, Milan, when the overly aggressive paparazzo attacked him.
It was reported at the time that the former fighter got angered when the photographer continuously tried to photograph him and his family. The infuriated boxer then punched the pap on his face, knocking him down to the ground.
The paparazzo reportedly had sustained a cut on his forehead and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Both men were arrested after the scuffle. Tyson was booked on suspicion of battery and was later released on his own recognizance.