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Celebrity Justice
Witnesses Say Gerard Was Provoked

Posted Oct 8th 2008 2:45PM by TMZ Staff

So we just told you the LAPD is investigating whether Gerard Butler kicked a paparazzi's ass yesterday. Well, there's more to this story.
Gerard Butler
Sources tell us witnesses have now come forward with a very different account. They are saying the papper was tailing Gerard for hours. And, they say, the photog was driving "recklessly" as he "chased" Butler's limo, almost hitting several pedestrians. The photog says he endangered no one.

The witnesses say after Gerard allegedly got out of the limo and struck the photog in the face, the photog continued following Butler for more than an hour before going to the hospital. But the agency the photog works for says Gerard struck the dude at 1:45 AM and he was at the cop shop at 2:10 AM.

And, we're told, the photog spoke with a civil lawyer before contacting cops.

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46. I think the paparazzi have gotten way out of hand. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Unfortunately, I can almost guarantee that there will be a lawsuit. You know most paparazzi start trouble so 1. they get a story/photo and 2. they can sue. I'm sorry, but when you start to follow someone around, that's just creepy. I don't care who you are, or if it's "your job". It sucks that it got to that point, but I say good for Gerard for sticking up for himself.

Posted at 5:03PM on Oct 8th 2008 by SarahJan7

47. He should have done more damage than a bloody lip, should have broken his jaw and fingers as well.

Posted at 5:01PM on Oct 8th 2008 by drew

48. Gerard hit him so hard he pee'd himself. Nice picture.

Posted at 5:03PM on Oct 8th 2008 by Kim

49. "T-in-SD sounds like a frustrated wussie..." More like a punk that got his a** beat all the time for being an annoying punk. The annoying punks like the papa don't believe in violence, because then they would get their a**'s beat all of the time. And that is what needs to happen to all the jacka**es that do anything for a photo. Be respectful and you not only get the pic, you get respect back. Be a punk, get your a** kicked. Pretty simple.

Posted at 5:12PM on Oct 8th 2008 by Dudeman

50. Grow up dudeman. You sound like an idiot.

Posted at 5:20PM on Oct 8th 2008 by T-in-SD

51. T IN SD is probably the pap himself. If not, then you need to have your ass followed around and see how you like it. The cops could care less, and even if you did call them, it would take a while to find you. By that time someone could have been run over by this idiot who is, "just doing his job". I'm not sure what this actor did to make you so angry with him, but
damn T IN SD, try not to blow a blood vesel over this.

Posted at 5:22PM on Oct 8th 2008 by T IN SD is one angry person

52. T from SD should get out more. Obviously T hasn't seen any of Gerry's movies, and certainly not his interviews. This is an honorable young man that hates confrontation. He had to be really pushed to do this. AND, he hasn't had a drink in over 10 years. He is the first to stand up for everyone's rights, even the "rattzi." He is always polite to them, giving them pics and interviews on his own time. They follow him even from his dentist's office when he has had two root canals and he is still respectful of them. Do your homework, T, before you start passing judgement on such a fine man. That "rattzi" must have done something horrible for him to react that way.

Posted at 11:43PM on Oct 8th 2008 by sothern lady

53. I'm actually cool with it all. Hope Gerard gets the justice he deserves. I love that you have all the time in the world to reply to my posts. Its a nice compliment to my thoughts in this debate world. keep it coming and trying to read into me. I'm not a pap, but dig the TMZ site, which is totally pap centered and you're on it, hypocrite. I'm not angry, just working away, checking TMZ and pushin buttons. Angry much? Right back at ya.

Posted at 5:43PM on Oct 8th 2008 by T-in-SD

54. Well he is from Scotland. They are notorious for fighting or settling thing with their fists.

Posted at 9:40PM on Oct 13th 2008 by Scones & clotted cream

55. Wow! I was followed around by a stalker who kept taking my picture and just watching me - he even canceled a hotel reservation I had so he could watch across the street while I got angry. That certainly was creepy. Everywhere I turned, there he would be - ick. Anyway, don't think it didn't cross mind to shoot the dude or punch him in the face. And was Gerard doing something utterly important that the papper had to chase him down? Couldn't the pap just give up and find someone else to take pics of? I'm also sorry Gerard did not beat his ass down more.

And T-in-SD, if you say your signature name real fast is could pass for TMZ which you keep referring to the paps like they are Gods. There is celebrity news worth knowing but not at the expense of putting innocent people in jeopardy because you want a pic/story. Sounds like you must be a papper yourself or know of one personally.

Posted at 6:00PM on Oct 8th 2008 by spooky

56. It's their job to do this--get the picture. It's not the best job, but I would really like to punch all those corporate executives that gave out bad loans. I think they're worse than the papparazzi. The paps didn't let people buy homes knowing they wouldn't be able to keep up the payments. Point is, the paps get paid to get the shot, and if these sites and magazines didn't pay them any money for their pictures, there would be less of them around. Also, if you're in hollywood then you know the deal. Let's not start playing stupid here. There are other cities in this country beside Los Angeles where they could party and have less a chance of being photgraphed.

Posted at 6:05PM on Oct 8th 2008 by OhNo

57. Yeah dude pissed himself!!! So funny, thanks for posting this!

Posted at 6:15PM on Oct 8th 2008 by ThatsCrazy

58. I thought I posted a comment but don't see it so I try again. The story makes me sad because I used to admire Gerry Butler before he went Hollywood hunk, stud, hottie, beefcake, etc. Something about him always made me uneasy though, something phony there, and his true colours are starting to show. He can't handle celebrity. What the hell was he doing in a bar at 2 a.m. when he insists he doesn't drink?He has insulted Aerican men by saying Scottish men are more manly, and this annoys me because I have a son who is serving his country and is more of a hunk than Butler. He keeps himself constantly in the kind of shape Butler was in 300 so he can save a life or take down a terrorist at a second's notice. Butler acknowledges that he "trains for roles" and lets himself go in between, yet when he is in shape he struts around with his shirt open to show off his abs. Why are so many silly women blindly in love with this man and hero worship him? He is no hero. He's an actor who knows how to play his audience. Now he seems to be losing it.

Posted at 8:29PM on Oct 8th 2008 by jaybird

59. Pepper Spray...thats a great idea :D !!! hahahahaha

Posted at 6:21PM on Oct 8th 2008 by daisy

60. T in SD. Now you're starting to sound like a normal person. Your previous comments on this actor sounded very angry with the names you called him and such. I too am at work checking this site every now and then. You seem to be a smart person, T in Sd, but your previous comments does not reflect that.

Posted at 6:24PM on Oct 8th 2008 by T IN SD is not so angry

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