Kanye West Pleads Not Guilty

Kanye West has pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanour charges stemming from an incident last September when he allegedly smashed a photographer's camera at Los Angeles International Airport.

West wasn't in the Los Angeles courtroom on Friday, but Los Angeles City Attorney spokesperson Nick Velasquez told The Associated Press that West entered the plea through his lawyer, Blair Berk, who wouldn't comment.

West and Don Crawley, his bodyguard and road manager, were both charged in connection with the incident. The rapper was charged with misdemeanour battery, grand theft and vandalism in March, while Crawley was charged with six misdemeanour counts, including two vandalism charges, two grand theft charges and two counts of battery.

Crawley also pleaded not guilty on Friday.

West was originally arrested for suspicion of vandalism after allegedly fighting with a photographer who tried to take his picture. TMZ said West took the camera and "threw it on the ground, breaking it into pieces."

TMZ caught the alleged incident on tape. It includes footage of Crawley walking up to their cameraman and grabbing his video camera. Crawley allegedly "ripped off the mic and viewfinder and smashed it to the ground," according to the website.

West and Crawley were originally charged with felony vandalism, but those charges were dropped.

West faces up to two-and-a-half years in jail if convicted. Crawley could get up to five years.

The case's next hearing is scheduled for July 15.

West will play the at the Wireless Festival in London, England's Hyde Park on July 5.