Kanye West pleads not guilty to beating photographer

US rapper has been charged with attacking man and attempted theft of camera

NOT GUILTY PLEA: Kanye West (PA)

RAPPER KANYE West pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges following an altercation with a photographer outside Los Angeles International Airport.
The 36 year-old entered his plea yesterday (November 7) after being charged in September with battery and attempted grand theft in relation to the incident with photographer Daniel Ramos on July 19.

His attorney Blair Berk made the brief appearance at the airport courthouse on West's behalf to enter the plea. A pre-trial hearing has now been scheduled for January 23, 2014.
Ramos, represented by attorney Gloria Allred, sued West in August, alleging assault, battery, negligence and violation of civil rights.
The Grammy Award-winning rapper, known for his hostility towards the media, was caught on video wrestling with the photographer.
He has been accused of attempting to take equipment from Ramos.
However, the rapper's representatives deny this insisting he did nothing more than try to prevent a picture from being taken.
The photographer told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday that he had been caught off-guard by the rapper.
"When Kanye West attacked me, I was in complete shock. All I had done was ask him a question.
"I was terrified when Kanye started to come at me. I backed up because I felt from the look in his eyes, he was going to attack me."
Allred said Ramos had simply asked to talk to the singer, but West had initially ignored him and then turned toward the photographer.
"Without provocation, Mr West suddenly attacked Danny, punching him and attempting to wrestle Danny's camera from his hands," Allred said.
The attorney added that Ramos fell to the ground and was hospitalised because of injuries sustained to his right hip.
She stated her client was seeking general and punitive damages in his lawsuit