Judge Throws Out Harassment Charge Against Actor Liev Schreiber Stemming From Altercation With Photographer

Actor Liev Schreiber’s recent legal battle concluded this week after a judge threw out a harassment charge against him.

Schreiber, 50, was accused earlier this year of assaulting a photographer during filming of the Showtime series “Ray Donovan” over the summer. Photographer Sherwood Martinelli claimed that on June 7, he was attempting to take a photo of Schreiber during filming when the actor attacked him, “charging like he was a raging bull.” Martinelli accused Schreiber also of and hitting him on the right shoulder.

Schreiber was charged with second-degree harassment in August, according to the Rockland/Westchester Journal News.

Schreiber denied the claims and pleaded not guilty, in addition to filing a motion to have the charge dismissed, People reports.

During the August 14 arraignment, Schreiber denied having touched Martinelli at all.

“I never touched him, I never touched his body with my body. I was pissed, but that was it,” he said. “I have nothing else to say."

Justice Robert Knoebel of Nyack, New York, complied with Schreiber’s wishes on Wednesday and dismissed the charge, the Journal News reports.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe told the publication that Knoebel concluded that Martinelli’s allegations were “legally insufficient,” and “the charges were dismissed based upon well-established principles found in the decisions of our highest court.”

Following Wednesday’s development, Martinelli reported feeling “greatly disappointed” in the judge’s decision, according to the Journal News.

“It’s my belief, because the judge’s history and a certain elite in Nyack who decide what’s in the best interest of the village...to basically throw the little guy under the train,” he said.

Schreiber seemed pleased with the decision in a statement obtained by the Journal News.

“Having to appear in court and answer charges that lack merit is no fun for anyone. Having your children read about them online and ask you why is even worse,” his statement read. “All too often, cases like mine are tried and lost in the court of public opinion long before a judge has even heard the motions. That’s why I am particularly pleased and grateful for the swift and decisive dismissal handed down by the judge in mine.”

Schreiber also took to Instagram to poke fun at Martinelli, insinuating that he was lying about the entire ordeal.

“Sherman Martinelli. The paparazzi who claimed I attacked him decided to come visit our set this morning with his ‘injured’ shoulder and the camera I ‘smashed’...Glad to see he’s feeling better,” Schreiber captioned a photo highlighting a relaxed Martinelli seated next to an unbroken camera posted Wednesday.

[Photo Credit: Getty]