Celebrity Justice
Exclusive: D.A. Will Decide Harrelson's Fate

TMZ has learned the L.A. County District Attorney is in the process of deciding whether to prosecute Woody Harrelson over an altercation with a TMZ cameraman.
Woody Harrelson: click to watch!

The incident occurred on June 30 on a public street outside a Hollywood nightclub. Harrelson became irritated with Levine and asked him to stop shooting. When Levine continued to roll, Harrelson walked over to him, put his hand on the camera and again asked Levine to stop. Levine responded, "All I'm doing is my job." After another exchange, Harrelson broke the camera.
Woody Harrelson: click to watch!
A second video, obtained by TMZ, shows Harrelson then grabbing Levine by the neck, causing a laceration.

We're told the LAPD interviewed Harrelson Monday and then referred the case to the D.A. later in the day. Shortly after the incident, an LAPD Detective John Padilla told TMZ "With the tape and all, it's pretty good evidence."

The D.A. could file vandalism and assault and battery charges against Harrelson or reject the case and refer it to the L.A. City Attorney for possible misdemeanor prosecution.



Tags: Woody Harrelson, WoodyHarrelson

Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 3) | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. first

Posted at 5:39PM on Jul 25th 2006 by campjaime

2. that camera weeney sure got wat he deserved,
i hate pr*cks like that, they just dont understand the words "no", or "stop"
hooray Woody !!!

Posted at 6:11PM on Jul 25th 2006 by billy bob

3. That video dude was just doing his job and making his living. Woody boy needs to stop smoking the ganja and stop acting so paranoid. He may then realize he is acting like pre-madonna .... and there are others who have to do this for a roof over the head. I hope he gets the slammer!

Posted at 7:14PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Brian R

4. WOODY should know by now that as an ACTOR his privacy will be VIOLATED again and again and again. DAHHHH. He should have considered a carrer stocking shelves in a store or working as a teller in a BANK, if he couldn't tolerate the papperataziies Becomming VIOLENT won't help the situiation. ONLY MAKES IT WORSE. Now he will be up for ASSAULT CHARGES.and have another glitch on his CRIMINAL RECORD. If only he'd of smoked some of that POT HE LOVES SO MUCH, he might have been able to CHILL OUT A LITTLE BIT. The guy was taking a picture not coming at him with a gun. GET A GRIP.

Posted at 7:24PM on Jul 25th 2006 by it goes with the territory.

5. Just b/c he is an actor doesn't mean he isn't a person. He chose his career b/c he enjoys acting, not to be hounded. Actors have rights too! He asked him to stop and he wouldn't. He was harassing Woody and asking him questions. Acting is his passion. Most of the time the paparatize is way out of line! It does not excuse violence, but we don't know what else happened either. I think if they asked to be left a lone then do it. Sarah Jessica Parker did and they did respect her wishes. Yea to those that respected her wishes! I'm on your side Woody! The was asking for it ~ he had it coming!

Posted at 8:42PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Cindy

6. Hopefully the D.A. throws such a frivalous case out. It's clear that the only reason this photog wants to pursue the matter any further is to recieve more headlines for himself. Truth be told, the only reason people are interested in this story is because of Woody. No one sides with the papparazzi. It's a shame they keep getting in the way.

Posted at 8:46PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Kris

7. Another stupid move by another stupid actor or actress. What do they except? With all their celebrity and popularity, this will come with it. Funny how celebrities just cant graspe this anymore. Just like any other celebrity he'll just get a slap on the wrist with a fine and community service. Stupid Hollywood.

Posted at 11:16PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Britton

8. Can anyone honestly blame Woody? I mean sure, maybe grabbing his neck was a bit excessive, but if I had to put up with crap like that all the time I'd probably go a little overboard myself from time to time. Even though he's a celebrity, he's still human and still gets pissed off when people harass him. Woody repeatedly asked him NICELY to stop filming him - and the cameraman refused because he WANTED Woody to get pissed off at him. It was obvious to me from the start of the video that Woody was not in the mood but the cameraman just kept pushing him. He was instigating a confrontation and he got exactly what he deserved. Sure he was doing his job, but he should have and COULD have stopped filming after he was asked to. This cameraman deals with this sh*t all day. He knew exactly what would happen if he provoked Woody. And of course they play up like 'Poor Cameraman'. Well if you can't take the heat then get out of the kitchen. Go Woody all the way!

Posted at 11:24PM on Jul 25th 2006 by He deserved it

9. Woody is one of the good guy out there in hollywood. I hope he get a pass in this situation cause anyone could have one bad day.

Posted at 11:44PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Tyler

10. if woodyis to be indited, he should broke the little camera creeps neck instead of just scratching him on the neck

Posted at 12:58AM on Jul 26th 2006 by headknocker2

11. Sounds like Woody better watch that temper. Isn't Woody's Father in prison for murder? I think he's a lifer.

Posted at 2:49AM on Jul 26th 2006 by lorane petrish

12. The cameraman should be arrested. Movie star or not, people shouldn't have to put up with things like this. I don't think I would have as much restraint as woody had if the same thing happened to me. These cameramen are just the kind of guys to do as much as posible to provoke a situation so they will have something "sensational" that the news stations will carry, then sit back and say nothing is their fault. Face it, the more angry they can make one of these stars, the more money they will make from the pictures and videos.

Posted at 3:54AM on Jul 26th 2006 by Greg

13. A judgement against Harrelson is saying to anyone within range of a rich star: "here, buy a cheap camera, annoy a rich person in public until they assault you, and then reap some undeserved rewards." Like abuse of every system we have, leeches will make the most of it claiming to be paparazzi, and will look forward to a bruise of any sort as a grand payday. Now, if photographers can be arrested for breaching certain things, like distance from a person and or failure to cease and desist when asked...I think jailing and substantial fines are in order in the opposite direction--you can't make a law for one and not the other. It leads to lawlessness. And this comes from someone who sometimes weilds a camera (though not at all in this way).

Posted at 6:56AM on Jul 26th 2006 by Richard

14. What should happen to Woody? I have one name to drop here and that should take care of it. Princess Diana. Thank you.

Posted at 6:58AM on Jul 26th 2006 by J.Ross

15. A judgement against Harrelson is saying to anyone within range of a rich star: "here, buy a cheap camera, annoy a rich person in public until they assault you, and then reap some undeserved rewards." Like abuse of every system we have, leeches will make the most of it claiming to be paparazzi, and will look forward to a bruise of any sort as a grand payday. Now, if photographers can be arrested for breaching certain things, like distance from a person and or failure to cease and desist when asked...I think jailing and substantial fines are in order in the opposite direction--you can't make a law for one and not the other. It leads to lawlessness. And this comes from someone who sometimes weilds a camera for money (though not at all in this way).

Posted at 6:58AM on Jul 26th 2006 by Richard

| 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments