DA Declines To File Charges Against Bieber For Hitting Photog With His Car

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles County District Attorney announced Wednesday that their office has declined to file charges against singer Justin Bieber for a June 17 incident in Hollywood where he struck a photographer with his car.

On a charge evaluation worksheet, a prosecutor wrote that "the impact was minor and given the chaotic scene and stress of the situation, it is likely that Bieber did not know he had hit" photographer Damon Walter outside a nightclub at 8001 Sunset Boulevard. The worksheet also maintained, there was "insufficient evidence to prove that Bieber knowingly left the scene of a collision in which someone was injured."

The worksheet added, "Given the entirety of the circumstances, Bieber's claim that he did not know he hit anyone as he was leaving the club is both reasonable and credible. There were over a dozen paparazzi surrounding his car and on the sidewalk, and it was noisy with camera flashes and bright lights surrounding him. Security had motioned for Bieber that it was clear to leave, and the video showed a clear path for the car until Walter suddenly stepped in front of it."

The photog was struck and briefly pinned against the car parked in front of Bieber's Ferrari.

Walter suffered minor injuries to his leg, according to the evaluation worksheet.

Bieber told police -- through his attorney -- that he wasn't aware he hit Walker.

Police, according to the worksheet, also determined Walker was at fault for being in the roadway.