LA prosecutors review Mike Tyson photographer case

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Prosecutors have begun investigating whether to charge ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and a photographer for a scuffle at Los Angeles International Airport.

City attorney’s spokesman Frank Mateljan (muh-TEL’-jan) says police on Tuesday handed his office a preliminary report of the Nov. 11 confrontation.

Tyson and photographer Tony Echeverria made citizens’ arrests, each claiming he was punched by the other man.

Mateljan says city attorney’s investigators want to interview both men and see video of the incident.

Tyson and Echeverria could be charged with misdemeanor battery, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail.

Tyson could also be charged with violating probation in a 2007 drug case if convicted. He pleaded guilty in Arizona to cocaine possession.

Updated Nov 17, 6:03 pm EST
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228 Comments

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  1. Big Rob
    228. Posted by Big Rob Sat Nov 14 5:17am EST

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    Handle ur business Iron Mike, but just be smart about it. I understand why u did what u did, I probably would done the thing, but remember that u r in the system and they r using that against u. Think about u violating ur probation and being locked behind bars, how will u be able to protect ur family? A murderer or car jacker, yes, but over a dam camera man, not worth it. You've been thru too much and have come too far. God Bless!
  2. <i>mjamesburrell</i>
    227. Posted by mjamesburrell Sat Nov 14 12:40am EST

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    Mike had every right to protect his child/family, the paparizi are known for being aggressive at times. Hell, look what happened to Princess Diana. Need I say more? And for those of you who judge, keep your mouth shut. You're no better than he is.
  3. I knew Rex wasn't any good
    226. Posted by I knew Rex wasn't any good Fri Nov 13 11:38pm EST

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    Tyson is sick and needs to be put away - he is a ticking time bomb and will eventually kill someone. He can't control himself.
  4. schugeorge
    225. Posted by schugeorge Fri Nov 13 11:13pm EST

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    I think aside from getting pictures this dirtbag was looking for a big payday by provoking Mike and it worked. Now the douchbag is gonna have an opportunity to get paid via a frivalous lawsuit (not to say he was injured in someway, after all he was popped by iron mike) aside from this guy I really think the biggest scumbag is the network/reporter who broke the story and made sure it made headlines on T.V. and they talked about it relentlessly pretty much convicting him before he was even charged.... That alone sets Mike back in the eyes of a jury based on mikes past and the fact that he's is Mike Tyson, former heavyweight champ.It is sooooo sad to know that things aren't gonna turn in Mike's favor. Having said that, really, did mike really feel like his family was in "iminant" danger?? was he or his family in true danger?? I think not, even though this guy may have been very aggressive for pictures I don't think he was out to harm anyone physically and the bottom line (as far as the law is concerned) is Mike punched some guy who got on his nerves not tried to hurt him. That is not acceptable in our society. If I punched out everyone who I deemed as annoying I'd be in prison.. finally, if I were a juror though, I'd aquit mike if it came down to it simply because I know the guy was after a payday...
  5. Junior
    224. Posted by Junior Fri Nov 13 11:12pm EST

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    Hiding behind the freedom of the press shield is one thing. But how is a celebrity, mike tyson - brad pitt - j-lo, NEWS? It isn't gossip, its just them walking to a car to go home. It is not news, it's entertainment; and just like PUNKED, you need to permission to air that garbage. These people should get together and class act these bull$h!T shows like TMZ. Cripple that entire industry and get people to focus on something other than getting famous, this is f'ing ridiculous.
  6. Jaydub
    223. Posted by Jaydub Fri Nov 13 11:04pm EST

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    For the love of god, leave the man alone.
  7. <i>dthom7</i>
    222. Posted by dthom7 Fri Nov 13 10:46pm EST

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    Mike, I do not blame you for protecting your family. You have every right to. Something really needs to be done about those people.
  8. amayseng
    221. Posted by amayseng Fri Nov 13 10:22pm EST

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    these deuchebags are low life losers that stalk people... how is it illegal to stalk someone because u print pics in a magazine?

    if you stalk people you deserve to be punched the @#$% out.

    seriously

    tyson is trying to be a good family man and has to deal with this bul@#$%..

    let ammend the consitution and make a deuche law.........if your a deuche u deserve to be punched
  9. Michael
    220. Posted by Michael Fri Nov 13 10:03pm EST

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    Hey if you are going to provoke a bear,it is going to attack! Leave the guy alone. Go chase sleazy Paris Hilton!
  10. EARNEST
    219. Posted by EARNEST Fri Nov 13 9:47pm EST

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    Mike you are a great guy and your family .may god bless you alway. their will be those who say thing that are not ture about you . stay strong mike we will alway love you. earnest and company. thank champ
  11. rick j
    218. Posted by rick j Fri Nov 13 9:26pm EST

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    If Mike was provoked at a bar, no one would give a @#$% because we all know that drunk men like to fight. If he was provoked then let him handle it in the only way he knows how. And that is to kick the crap out of them. I do wonder if the photographer had a chance to appologize or if he sassed Mike, I bet he didnt get the chance that puch came quick. lol
  12. Boakai Kanneh
    217. Posted by Boakai Kanneh Fri Nov 13 8:38pm EST

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    The fists of Iron Mike are natural weapons which must be carefully or authorizingly used. Iron Mike needs to consult a Lawyer to determine whether his punches are covered under the 2nd amendment. Otherwise, he will always be in trouble. I wish you well Mike in your reformation.
  13. NILO
    216. Posted by NILO Fri Nov 13 8:15pm EST

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    Some people never learn you know that Mike has a reputation of being easily provoked into an altercation. The man is trying his damn best to behave, why cant you creeps leave him alone.
  14. The Reaper
    215. Posted by The Reaper Fri Nov 13 7:48pm EST

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    He should have put that camera up his A**. These guys are no different than any stalker. Mike didnt do anything any other parent would do if someone got into their childs space.
  15. John
    214. Posted by John Fri Nov 13 7:10pm EST

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    mike if i were u i would do the same thing
  16. Tom
    213. Posted by Tom Fri Nov 13 6:47pm EST

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    These paparazzi creeps are given way too much leeway... They stalk people and invade their space. They plot to ambush celebs. And they seem to have figured out that the more aggressive they act, the more likely they are to get a photo or incite a lawsuit. When someone like Mike decides to defend his family from their assault, these creeps flop and scream that they were harmed while "doing their job." And then they go after the deep pockets of the people they harass. Paparazzi is a dog@#$%-caliber profession, and laws need to be passed in order to protect people from these parasitic @#$%s.
  17. rich
    212. Posted by rich Fri Nov 13 6:41pm EST

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    stupid paparazzu!
  18. rich
    211. Posted by rich Fri Nov 13 6:39pm EST

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    Mike is Mike. Don't mess with him. ..or he will bite you!
    Go Mike! Go Pacman!
  19. DL
    210. Posted by DL Fri Nov 13 6:38pm EST

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    RE:
    185. Posted by larry Thu Nov 12 1:51pm EST Report Abuse
    mike tyson may not be the dumbs guy in the world. but i bet he is in the top five.

    Larry,

    You must be #1. What is dumbs??? LMAO
  20. mehdi
    209. Posted by mehdi Fri Nov 13 5:56pm EST

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    please leave iron mike tyson alone
    this dude is trying to have a normal life , please leave him alone

    Mehdi
  21. Steve P
    208. Posted by Steve P Fri Nov 13 4:26pm EST

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    I'm not sayin' Tyson should've hit the guy . . . but I understand. I mean if you get in the water with a shark and it bites you, is it really the shark's fault? Just leave the guy alone already.
  22. <i>coronalu</i>
    207. Posted by coronalu Fri Nov 13 1:11pm EST

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    If this bozo would not have stuck his face in Mike's face, he would have been hit but because he did, he got his a*s kicked and he is so chicken sh*t, he pressed charges, what a crackhead. If I was on a jury, I would vote in favor of Iron Mike, like I said, Iron Mike is traveling with his family, it was this bozo that got in his face, Iron Mike should have rearranged bozo's face.
  23. Jackie
    206. Posted by Jackie Fri Nov 13 10:01am EST

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    I'm not exactly a big fan of violence but.. a punch in the face of the photog rat seems fair.They're like mosquitos (blood-thirsty), or flies a the end of summer who their days are numbered come the 1st good frost(unrelenting,annoying).
  24. NakiaW
    205. Posted by NakiaW Fri Nov 13 9:53am EST

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    He deserved to be knocked out...better yet let someone take a pic of him getting ko'd. Leave mike alone!!!
  25. NakiaW
    204. Posted by NakiaW Fri Nov 13 9:53am EST

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    He deserved to be knocked out...better yet let someone take a pic of him getting ko'd. Leave mike alone!!!
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