Justin Bieber’s Defense For Running Over A Paparazzo: “He Refused To Move”, And I Don’t Blame Him

The singer’s lawyers have requested to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by paparazzo Walter Lee who claims he was hit by Bieber’s Ferarri back in 2013, arguing it was Lee’s fault.

A video of the incident leaves some doubt as to the paparazzo’s claims and will kind of make you hate anyone holding a camera.

Meanwhile, Bieber tried avoiding a visit to the courthouse in another paparazzi-related lawsuit, claiming it would be too expensive for him to show up.

The Canadian pop star was sued last year for damages after he allegedly struck a paparazzo.

The possibility of criminal charges was ruled out as a police investigation determined that it was not a case of hit and run, accepting Bieber’s claim that he was unaware he had hit anyone. It’s quite easy to believe, honestly, considering the mayhem around him.

Adding on to their defense that Lee was at fault for standing on the road in front of a vehicle trying to get away, the defense attorneys also claim that the seriousness of Lee’s alleged injuries were questionable. This is based on TMZ’s report that just three days after the paparazzo filed legal documents claiming that his injuries might leave him permanently unable to work; Lee was up and about and even filmed Bieber himself at another event.

I am by no means a ‘Belieber’, but I have a hard time taking the photographer’s side in this case. Judging by the way the paparazzi blocked his way and bombarded him with their flashes, it becomes easy to see why so many people regard photographers as a nuisance.

We have already discussed how paparazzi behavior could impact our rights as photographers, and sadly this case doesn’t do us any good.

In case this story made you empathize with Justin Bieber more than you’d like, this next bit will bring you back.

Other than being sued for running over Walter Lee, Bieber is also being accused of allegedly sending an armed bodyguard to confiscate a photographer’s memory card.

According to Gossip Extra, Bieber recently requested to conduct the mandatory mediation over video conference, rather than showing up in person in front of a Miami judge, stating that travelling from Los Angeles in a private jet, with his entourage, will cost him almost $70,000.

Photographer Jeffery Binion’s lawyer responded saying that a first class ticket on a commercial flight will set the singer back only $1k, opposed to $60k for the private jet’s airfare.

Despite Bieber’s business manager stating that a first class trip on a commercial airline will cost $18,000, Miami judge Eric Hendon ordered the singer to appear for mediation or be held in contempt.

Although Binion’s medical expenses were reported to be $1,098, Gossip Extra reports that he is seeking millions in damages.

[via Huffington Post | Lead Image: Stephen Eckert | Paparazzi Image: Rob Sinclair]

Miss Corona

I don’t blame him. Stalking celebrities to reap $$ off them is a shameful “job”
Gvido Mūrnieks

In Russia, there is problem with insurance frauds, when person is trying to get into accidents, to get insurance, or extort from injuries. This is the reason, why so many russians have dashcams.

Personally, if bunch of paparazzi would jump in front of my car – would keep driving.
If some of them get hurt – I would sue them, for extortion attempt.
Azety

usa = country where you become famous doing shit, paparazzi get money with photo of this useless celebrity, and his photos are in a stupid magazine, wich us citizen buy because they have an useless life.
Your country is the perfect picture to show aliens why our world is fucked up.
- Tiffany Mueller
  
  True, but you say that like it’s exclusive to the US, which it absolutely isn’t.
  - Azety
    
    Well, USA = UK trash. So its the same for every english speaking country.
    Could be UK Australia or any fucked up country like this.
    This story, and every stupid story could from any english-speaker country.
    Everytime something is stupid, its coming from an english-speaking country.
    - eKalb33
      
      Please remind me of the location and circumstances of Princess Diana’s death.
Ralph Hightower

I have no sympathy for anyone that violates laws. In this instance, the photographer was standing in a public road, blocking traffic. Heck, he even wasn’t at a crosswalk with traffic stopped. It’s the same situation that I saw online with Ferguson protesters that were blocking either an exit ramp or an entrance ramp to an interstate.
Gosh, I can’t believe that I’m defending a Bieber.
This is a frivolous lawsuit. Walter Lee should chalk this up as a learning experience to not block traffic.
Renato Murakami

Honestly, yes, I think it was wrong for the guy to stand in the middle of the road blocking traffic smack middle in front of a car and ignoring several warnings that he should get the fuck out off the road.
Also, all those flashes in anyone’s face could cause a whole lot of confusion.
BUT I don’t think it was proper for any driver to take off like that too, specially when he knows he was surrounded by people. So I wouldn’t just say that Justin is completely innocent on this. I don’t care if people gets pissed off at me for saying this, but I don’t think drivers that do stuff like that should be driving in the first place… and this has nothing to do with celebrities. Driving should be considered a priviledge for few.
There’s of course tons of horrible drivers out there, and seems that celebrities tends to top the list sometimes. But I think conscious drivers, knowing they are operating a vehicle that weights some tons and can be pretty deadly against pedestrians, would very slowly try to work their way out of that situation.
But I think Bieber is right to dismiss the hit and run. He could honestly not know that he had hit someone in that situation.