LOS ANGELES, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Teenage pop star Justin
Bieber will not face charges for an alleged altercation with a
man who was taking photos him at a suburban shopping center in
May, Los Angeles prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Deputy District Attorney Mara McIlvain said in a report
there was "insufficient evidence for proof beyond a reasonable
doubt" that the Canadian singer scuffled with paparazzo Jose
Hernandez-Duran before leaving the shopping center with his
girlfriend, actress Selena Gomez.
The photographer accused Bieber, 18, of leaving a van to
kick him in the abdomen and punch him in the face. Officials
called to the scene in Calabasas, 30 miles (48 km) west of Los
Angeles, found no apparent injury or trauma to the photographer.
A later doctor's evaluation indicated "minor swelling" to
the photographer's right cheek and "redness" on his lower
abdomen but labeled the injuries "superficial."
McIlvain's report indicated that Bieber became frustrated
when photographers obstructed his vehicle as he attempted to
leave the shopping center. He then left the vehicle, charged at
Hernandez-Duran and fell after taking a swing at his camera.
Witnesses told investigators they could not determine if
Bieber had struck Hernandez-Duran, who kept on taking photos of
the singer after the incident. They said the photographer was
approached by a lawyer soon after the run-in.
McIlvain said there were no photos of a scuffle between
Bieber and Hernandez-Duran, even though many photographers were
present.
Bieber's publicist could not immediately be reached for
comment.
The pop star swept the American Music Awards on Sunday,
winning three, including the top prize of the night, and
performed live during the show.
(Reporting By Eric Kelsey, editing by Piya Sinha-Roy and David
Brunnstrom)