Keanu Reeves cleared in civil trial brought on by vengeful paparazzo

After a little more than an hour of deliberations this morning, a Los Angeles jury has cleared Keanu Reeves in a civil trial brought by a vengeful paparazzo who claimed he was run over by the actor.

Alison Silva had been seeking $704,974 in compensatory damages from the Matrix star, including medical bills and lost wages, stemming from injuries supposedly sustained in March 2007, when Reeves was pulling out of a parking lot while he tried to get pictures.

According to Silva, he permanently injured his left wrist after getting knocked down by the the 44-year-old actor’s Porsche. Reeves, who actually tended to Silva after the incident, denied backing in to the photog during testimony last week, asserting that camera wielder was walking backwards and tripped over his own feet.

Silva’s credibility was dinged during cross-examination by Reeves’ attorney, who played a video which occurred after the alleged incident with Reeves, showing the plaintiff scaling a razor-wire fence to shoot video of Britney Spears and then using his left hand to brace himself and keep his balance while climbing down—afterwards.

After the jury read its verdict, the Reeves smiled and patted his attorney, Alfred Gerisch, on the back.

“We obviously felt from day one that Mr. Reeves was not negligent,” Gerisch told reporters outside the courtroom after the six-man, six-woman panel rendered its decision. “It’s unfortunate that this lawsuit was brought, and it’s unfortunate that we had to go this far—a lot of time, a lot of effort and obviously a lot of money.”

This was part two of this little drama. In September a judge dismissed assault charges against Reeves brought on by Silva. The judge declared that “There was no evidence of the slightest contact or the slightest touching.” Adding that Reeves did not “act maliciously” as he pulled out of a parking space as Alison had claimed.

Now after failing twice in court, Silva says he’s accepted the outcome.

“I respect the jury’s decision,” he said. “They did what they deemed was correct, and I have to live with that.

“I wish Keanu is happy in his life. I have nothing against Keanu.”

Asked if he’ll continue to snap photos of Reeves, the photog replied, “Why not? It’s a business.”

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