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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Coldplay’s Chris Martin Sued by Paparazzo

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A paparazzo claims Chris Martin intentionally ran him over on a Santa Monica sidewalk as he tried to snap a photo of the Coldplay front man with Gwyneth Paltrow, then left the scene.

Richard Terry sued Martin on Monday in superior court, claiming he was permanently injured and disabled when Martin ran him over on purpose at about 7 p.m. on Jan. 25.

The Daily Mail, of London, described Terry as a paparazzo. Martin is lead singer for the U.K. rock band Coldplay.

Terry claims that "Martin and his passenger recognized that plaintiff may be part of a news crew on the other side of the street that was engaged in filing or attempting to film him and his passenger, Gwyneth Paltrow ... an equally well-known actress."

Martin and Paltrow had announced the end of their marriage mionths before, after 10 years of marriage. The pair have two children together.

Terrry claims that Martin intentionally jumped the sidewalk to run him over: "Martin pulled his vehicle hard to the right in order to strike plaintiff Terry," the complaint states. "In fact, in an effort to strike plaintiff Terry, defendant Martin not only intentionally struck the plaintiff with his vehicle, he pulled his vehicle so far to the right as to cause his right front and rear tires to leave the driveway altogether, striking the plaintiff and going over the curb."

Terry claims Martin has "a significant history of repeated and ongoing violent acts against entertainment news people such as plaintiff Terry." And he claims that "in spite of the plaintiff's injuries and the arrival of paramedics and police [Martin] left the scene of the incident without ever stopping, which is indicative of his intentional behavior and disdain for the health and welfare of the plaintiff."

Terry claims Martin's actions were "criminal in nature."

He seeks punitive damages for negligence and assault and battery.

He is represented by William James Koontz, of Rancho Mirage.

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