Home : Celebrity Justice, Paparazzi Photo, Gerard Butler : Witnesses Say Gerard Was Provoked

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.

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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76. That paps is a goon if I ever saw one....probably an illegal immigrant. After looking at the paps picture, I wish GB would have hit him one more time.

Posted at 10:00PM on Oct 8th 2008 by Giselle

77. ****************
What the hell was he doing in a bar at 2 a.m. when he insists he doesn't drink?
****************

He was working. Crown Bar was the location chosen by Warner Bros, for the after party for the LA premiere of his new film held earlier that evening at the Arclight. That also explains why he was in a limo and not driving his own car that evening as he usually does when out in LA.

Posted at 10:21PM on Oct 8th 2008 by K

78. I was expecting this. If anyone would have the balls to stand up to these leaches of humanity, it would be Gerard Butler. I hope he yelled, "This Is Sparta" after he popped the little worm!

Posted at 1:18PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Maddy

79. that's my man GERRY!!! kick some paps ass! you know he deserved it. How long will it take the law to stop with these pap chase/stalking celebs? This has gotten so way out of control!

Posted at 11:57AM on Oct 9th 2008 by Princess Ali Baba

80. #72... Excellent point. So, with that being said, why did this guy feel the need to follow Gerard when there where probably many other celebrities around. He sounds like a major creep to me. Sounds pretty scary, too.

Posted at 11:33PM on Oct 8th 2008 by SarahJan7

81. This should be completely legal. It's only fair. If you harass someone and then you should be prepared to take a lickin' once in a while.

Posted at 11:35PM on Oct 8th 2008 by kdawg in e-minor

82. Oh so you know Gerard sothern lady? You crack me up. Nice people don't react with violence. Were you there? Do you know exactly what happened? Punching someone's face violently is bad confrontation. There are better ways that Butt ler could have handled this ituation. If he was e gentleman no one would have been hurt and Gerard would not be facing an assault charge. Gentleman don't punch others in the face, no matter who they are. Gerard should be more civil.

Posted at 11:39PM on Oct 8th 2008 by T-in-SD

83. Gerard...I've admired you way back when you were a pup but Dude, you did yourself wrong on this one. The guy is a jerk, but YOU are not above the law! You're the bigger jerk for lowering to his level. You could have handled this better. I'm watching you get outta control. I was wondering if that was going to happen when you got to LA. You need to call home and have mom remind you about what is important. To much outta control sex, outta control partying, outta control self indulgence...You're ego needs humbling. I miss and value the old you...*sigh*

Posted at 12:26AM on Oct 9th 2008 by Lori

84. #75, altohugh I agree with you that there is always a better way at handling a situation, but believe me that everyone has a limit to how much they can be provoked until BOOM, they won't take crap anymore.
I believe that civility should be excusive to the civilized.
If provoked in an uncivilized matter (by raping ones privacy), only a good beating will teach him not to do it again.
So let's not betoo quick to judge.
Who died and made you God?

Posted at 9:12AM on Oct 9th 2008 by Helena

85. It's obvious the papper's face hit Gerard's fist!!!

Posted at 1:40AM on Oct 9th 2008 by Star

86. Listen, I most certainly would not put up with some idiot following me around and harrasing me, as it appears this pap was doing to Gerry. I L-O-V-E the fact the Gerry handled his business. I thank the good Lord above for making this man so sexy and so strong. LOVE HIM. lol.

Posted at 3:34AM on Oct 9th 2008 by Teresa

87. If the Pap is within striking distance, he's too close and should be knocked back.

Posted at 6:34AM on Oct 9th 2008 by Pistol

88. Go Gerry Go! Give TMZ some more to talk about! If the law won't control these idiots, then sometimes you need to take control of the situation... Kudos to you!

Posted at 6:20AM on Oct 10th 2008 by Shannon

89. #75 So, you know GB? You sound like an idiot. You speak as if what you say is the gospel truth, and everyone elses' opinion is wrong. Are you jealous of him? It sure sounds like it.......weirdo. GB treated the paps just like he needed to be treated.

Posted at 7:36AM on Oct 9th 2008 by Giselle

90. The fact that this moron justifies stalking a person with the line "Hey, that's my job..." is a f**king joke. When and if he ever gets a REAL job, it will be interesting what he'll have written on his resume, and what tertiary qualifications he may lack or possess....."I invade people's privacy and follow them around everywhere, potentially endangering people's lives in the process".....that's not employable in my books, i.e. - Harrassment, OH&S issues, etc.....
It's no-one's business what Gerry does with his life, if you're not part of it.....As someone who works in the photographic field, I would not employ someone who has made a "living" out of harrassing individuals.....Pap(smear)s are an insult to professionally trained photographers everywhere, they shouldn't even be referred to as photographers in the first place. It's like referring to a porn star as an "actor/actress"!!!!
Go Butler!!!

Posted at 7:07PM on Oct 9th 2008 by gone postal

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