'Paparazzo' may be bad word in upcoming Keanu Reeves trial

Published Friday October 10th, 2008

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES - A celebrity photographer wants to make "paparazzo" a four-letter word during his upcoming civil trial against Keanu Reeves.

Enlarge Photo

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Sayles, file

In this Oct. 1, 2008 file photo, Keanu Reeves arrives at Target Presents AFI Night at the Movies in Los Angeles.

Lawyers for Alison Silva contend the words "paparazzo" and "paparazzi" are derogatory and would unfairly prejudice jurors against him. Silva is suing Reeves, claiming the actor caused him to fall while he was taking pictures of the "Matrix" star in his car in March 2007.

Silva's lawyers want him identified as a "photojournalist" or "reporter" when the case goes to trial later this month.

Reeves's lawyers counter in documents filed in Los Angeles on Thursday that Silva has repeatedly identified himself as a "paparazzo" in interviews and on his website.

A judge will consider how to label Silva during a hearing next week.

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