Justin Bieber’s filmed outing to a roller rink this past weekend may have torpedoed a paparazzo’s lawsuit. The photographer claimed he “may never work again” because the singer allegedly injured him. It turns out, the video was shot by none other than the suing paparazzo, and may just be the worst own goal since Nautico’s 3-5 loss to Santa Cruz.
Justin Bieber’s filmed outing to a roller rink this past weekend may torpedo a photographer’s recently filed lawsuit.
The photographer claimed he “may never work again” because the singer allegedly injured him in a 2013 alleged hit and run incident that Bieber was eventually cleared of. It turns out the video was shot by none other than the suing paparazzo, in what may eventually become known as the worst own goal since Nautico’s 3-5 loss to Santa Cruz.
Bieber supported singer Chris Brown’s 1st Annual Roller Skate Jam at the Moonlight Roller skating Rink on Saturday, June 28, in Glendale, California. The event was a fundraiser for Breezy’s Symphonic Love Charity which “supports and creates arts programs for youth.”
According to TMZ , paparazzo Walter Lee – who is suing Bieber – filmed the singer’s trip to the roller rink, and apart from a mistimed zoom out for the comedy, money shot of the singer falling — Lee is evidently able to work.
( Video that reportedly Lee filmed via TMZ. )
Lee reportedly filed his lawsuit just three days before filming the 20-year-old singer at the roller rink, so it’s likely the Bieb’s lawyers will have a field day with this one.
In truth, the case was already weak as Los Angeles police previously cleared Bieber of any wrongdoing. But civil cases have a lower onus of proof, so nothing was certain.
The lawsuit arises from a June 17, 2013 incident when Bieber attempted to leave a parked position in his Ferrari, after exiting the Laugh Factory comedy club on the Sunset Strip with pal rapper Lil Twist, TMZ reported.
After a subsequent police investigation into the alleged hit-and-run , Bieber was cleared of any liability.
At the time, paparazzi — including the current suing paparazzo, Walter Lee, who is referred to as Damon Walter in 2013 reports – bombarded Bieber with flash photography and left him with no space to maneuver once he got into his Ferrari.
After it was indicated to paparazzi to move out of the way by requests from one of Bieber’s bodyguards and motioning by the then 19-year-old star, a “clear path” was eventually made.
However, as Bieber pulled out, Lee — who was still in the road — ended up pinned between the singer’s Ferrari and a parked car.
In video footage, Lee dropped his camera on the hood of the Ferrari and fell to the ground clutching his leg.
He was subsequently taken to a local hospital and treated for minor scrapes to his leg before being released.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated whether Bieber had knowingly left the scene of an accident.
Bieber claimed through his attorney that he was unaware of contact with Lee when he drove off.
On July 31, 2013, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s prosecutors announced they were not filing criminal charges against the singer for allegedly hitting a paparazzo.
The prosecutors’ filing rejection statement said Bieber’s claim that he did not know he had hit someone was “reasonable and credible” given the chaos of the situation.
Prosecutors said that Bieber pulled away from the curb through a “clear path” when Walter “suddenly stepped in front of” the vehicle.
The statement declared Walter was “at fault in the collision due to being in the roadway and blocking Bieber’s vehicle.”
“There were over a dozen paparazzi surrounding his [ Bieber’s ] car and on the sidewalk, and it was noisy with camera flashes and bright lights surrounding him,” the document continued.
“Given the scene and the stress of the situation, it is likely that Bieber did not know he had hit Walter,” the statement added.
Fast forward to 2014, Walter is claiming in his lawsuit that his injuries are severe.
According to TMZ , who obtained a copy of the lawsuit, the paparazzo is claiming his injuries include – lacerations, hematomas, deep abrasions on his left knee and leg and deep venous thrombosis.
Walter alleges he has incurred hospital and other medical bills, which likely includes mental stress from the paradox of working out how to convince a potential jury that injuries he may have received after willingly standing in the path of a moving car –- is anyone’s fault but his.
Factor in Lee’s reported filming of Bieber’s roller rink visit , and this lawsuit may already be over.