Keanu faces civil action by lensman (From Crewe Guardian)

Keanu faces civil action by lensman

11:41am Tuesday 28th October 2008 in

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Jurors in a civil trial featuring actor Keanu Reeves may have to wade through several versions of reality, just like The Matrix.

The case, which stems from a March 2007 incident in which a paparazzi photographer claims he was seriously injured while taking pictures of Reeves behind the wheel of his Porsche.

A lawyer for Alison Silva said Reeves struck the photographer with his car, causing him to fall to the ground. But Reeves' lawyer, Alfred Gerisch, told the panel that the photographer repeatedly changed his story depending on whether he was talking to paramedics, a deputy or doctors.

"Mr Silva, during the course of that night, has told at least five different versions of what happened," Mr Gerisch said during opening statements.

Reeves, the star of action films such as Speed and the upcoming remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, sat quietly in court. He spoke to jurors only once on Monday to wish them "good morning".

The actor could spend up to three hours on the witness stand on Tuesday, when he is expected to testify about his recollection of the incident.

In the opening statements, Mr Gerisch said Reeves saw Mr Silva trip over his own feet and that the actor stopped to help him after the fall.

Reeves had gone to a residential area about 30 miles south of central Los Angeles to visit a family member, Mr Gerisch said. Mr Silva had followed him after spotting the actor driving his car on Sunset Boulevard and waited until he was leaving, Mr Gerisch said.

Mr Silva shot several photographs of Reeves walking down the street and continued to shoot the actor while he was behind the wheel of his car and trying to pull out of a parking space.

Mr Silva's lawyer, Joseph Farzam, told jurors that Reeves struck the photographer's knee with his car and continued rolling until he fell to the ground. The tumble seriously injured Mr Silva's wrist and required surgery that left him with reduced strength and flexibility, Mr Farzam said.