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LOS ANGELES - HOLLYWOOD screen idol Keanu Reeves was acquitted on Monday of charges of negligence for allegedly striking a photographer with his car and fleeing the scene.
After deliberating for a little over an hour, a jury panel of six men and six women cleared Reeves of any liability in the case brought by Brazilian paparazzo photographer Alison Silva.
Reeves, the hero of the Matrix trilogy had been on trial for allegedly plowing his Porsche 911 sports car into Mr Silva, who was seeking US$640,800 (S$948,000) for medical expense and damages.
Mr Silva said he had hurt his hand after falling to the ground when Reeves mowed his car into him on Mar 19, 2007 in the posh Palos Verdes neighbourhood of southwest Los Angeles.
The paparazzo claimed that Reeves, 44, sped away after the incident, although the actor denies striking Mr Silva, and denied fleeing the scene.
Reeves testified that he stopped his car at the scene and asked bystanders to call emergency services.
In September, a Los Angeles judge dismissed assault claims filed by Mr Silva, and said the photographer tripped over his own feet. -- AFP
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