Celebrity Justice
Harrelson Won't Face Felony Charges

Posted Jul 26th 2006 6:00PM by TMZ Staff

Woody Harrelson will not face felony charges in connection with an incident involving TMZ cameraman Josh Levine outside a Hollywood nightclub last month, according to Los Angeles County prosecutors. The matter will now be referred to the City Attorney's office for review.

On the evening of June 29, Levine approached Harrelson outside LA nightclub Element and, as video footage showed, Harrelson made contact with Levine's camera and grabbed the cameraman's neck with one hand. Levine suffered a laceration as a result of the physical contact, and his camera was damaged.

Click to watch!

Deputy District Attorney Alisanne Scolnik Augusta wrote that the incident "doesn't reveal a clear intentional breaking of the camera by the suspect" and that "the force used is not to the level that would cause great bodily injury" in her explaining her decision not to pursue the matter further.

Click to see the D.A.'s Charge Evaluation Worksheet.

Related link
EXCLUSIVE: D.A. Will Decide Harrelson's Fate



Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Paparazzi Video, Movies


Tags: Woody Harrelson, WoodyHarrelson

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Reader Comments

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1. Celebs can get away with anything.

Posted at 6:37PM on Jul 26th 2006 by Justin

2. The way I see it, just because you work for a "on line rag", does not give you the right to invade a persons privacy. The "victim" was asked to stop filiming, and refused.......get a life, have a little respect for people.

Posted at 8:49PM on Jul 26th 2006 by J.P. Koger

3. Bravo to the D.A. If having a camera continuosly shoved in your face even when you politely ask for filming to stop is the price that you must pay to be a celebrity, Chokings, smacking and broken cameras should be the price you must pay to be a paparazzi.

You guys need to stop crying about this shit

Posted at 12:13AM on Jul 27th 2006 by Javier

4. If they stop then we won't have nothing to comment on!!

Posted at 1:59AM on Jul 27th 2006 by Melody

5. I think that it was not apparent that any serious physical harm was done to the camera operator. Handling a situation like that physically should never be the solution- but he was harrassed and provoked. It seems completely unacceptable that after being asked several times the camera-man kept insisting. What could anyone do in a case like that? Call the police, only to have the guy run away and show up later? How can you live a life that way?

I think this case should be dismissed- that jerk with the camera needs to find a new job. If he's any good at filming, there's plenty of other options. Physical violence may be unacceptable, BUT provoking like that is- I knew bullies like that in school, who would try to get in your face and provoke. Then, they'd either use the response as an excuse to fight back or else get you in trouble. Man, that camera-man irritates me. I felt that the celeb handled the situation with remarkable calm.

-Pat

Posted at 8:34AM on Jul 27th 2006 by Pat

6. I'm glad that Woody Harrelson will not face felony charges. I'm not saying Woody was right in what he did, but these celebrities just need to be left alone sometimes. He asked the guy nicely and with patience I might add, and the guy would not stop. When I was younger I had a dream to go to Hollywood and make it as a star. I'm happy to say that dream never came true. It's takes a special person to accept all the baggage that comes with that dream.

Posted at 10:01AM on Jul 27th 2006 by gwen

7. Woody needs to smoke a few more "blunts", and calm the hell down.
It's not like the papparazzi are new to this planet (and neither is he).
Now, breathe in....hold.....and exhale slowly.

Posted at 11:53AM on Jul 27th 2006 by Paulo

8. I love movies and music. I can easily get sucked into the gossip mags because they're entertaining! But I do have an issue with harassment. True, these people are celebrities and they get their money from being in the spotlight, but does that make it okay for them to be harassed and treated rudely by the paparazzi?
I recently got into all these gossip websites because I got a cheap laugh, but I'm disgusted with this clip from TMZ about Woody Harrelson. Woody asked politely for the man to quit filming and he continued, quite smugly. (I never support violence as an answer to anything, so I am not saying Mr. Harrelson was correct in his actions).
I guess I don't think the gossip is entertaining enough for me to go against what I believe is human decency. I’m a teacher, I tell kids every day not to be rude, I definitely cannot support that behavior in adults.
Alas, I will have to find something else to give me pointless amusement from now on.
And now, I will climb off my high horse.

Posted at 1:32PM on Jul 27th 2006 by Stacey

9. its funny how everytime you approach a paparazzi numerous lacerations and damages always come up afterwards....

Posted at 2:18PM on Jul 27th 2006 by anna

10. its such bullshit...i dont like this actor...but seriously...lacerations and damages....please....how weak is this levine dude. The guy merely grapped and walked away....and how the hell is Harrelson suppose to ask him to stop videotaping...seriously, any other way wouldn't have worked either.

Posted at 2:23PM on Jul 27th 2006 by anna

11. I think Woody should be grateful that anyone gives enough of a s*** to even take his picture. Has he done anything since promoting Hemp clothing?

Posted at 4:35PM on Jul 27th 2006 by casey

12. I think Woody is a punk. He starts something then a body guard gets in the middle of it. He wants the money but can't take what comes with it while in the public eye. If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen

Posted at 8:39AM on Jul 31st 2006 by JC