"If you cross the line & try an put a lens up my dress, my fiancé will do his job & protect me."

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Russell Brand's Secret Weapon -- Katy Perry's Skirt

9/18/2010 8:15 AM PDT by TMZ Staff

Katy Perry isn't making it up ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ Russell Brand told LAX cops immediately after he attacked paparazzi that he did it because a photog was trying to shoot up his fiancée's skirt.

s we first reported, Brand and Perry were going through Delta security when he allegedly attacked photogs. He was arrested for misdemeanor battery.

In addition to telling cops about the upskirt shot, we're told Brand and his lawyer raised the issue at LAPD's Pacific Division, where Brand was booked.

Katy herself tweeted, "If you cross the line & try an put a lens up my dress, my fiancé will do his job & protect me."

Fun fact ... It's not a legal defense to a battery that someone tried to shoot up your girlfriend's dress. But prosecutors know any jury would be extremely sympathetic to a celeb under these circumstances and venomous toward the paparazzi.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/09/18/russell-brand-arrested-lax-airport-katy-perry-twitter-upskirt-photo-paparazzi-attack/

[rug]

1. Defense of another is justified.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. if it was not his intent to hurt anyone, then isn't that a legal defense?

I think Brand's intentions come into play.

:shrug:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. And there is a history of Katy Perry upskirt shots...

...there were some posted recently from her appearance on the The Today Show.

The photographer who was involved in Brand's "citizen's arrest" played against the public perception of Brand, which is that he is a douchebag, BUT...

...I'd say that even though I agree with the public perception, there's a strong chance that he's telling the truth here, and that it was an act of defending Perry. If you look at the video, he basically shoves the photographer. That's it.

They were both just trying to get from "Point A" to "Point B" in the airport. Yeah, the photographers come with being a celebrity, and they both made conscious decisions to live that life, but if a photographer crosses a line, people have a right to defend themselves. Period.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. I am not sure but, legally

her past should not bear on this, I would think. :shrug:

much ado about nothing, really.

it is when they want to quit taking shots of them, that they should worry, I guess.

Although, by that time they should have made enough money to live more comfortably than I will ever know.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. Legally, it wouldn't...

...I was just saying that of Brand claimed the photographer was trying to stick his camera up her skirt, there are a number of photos on the Web from photographers who have already done it. It's not an "unreasonable accusation" on his part.

I see the video, I see an aggressive photographer and Brand trying to walk, unobstructed, through the airport with Perry. I couldn't imagine a judge signing off on "assault" charges, but I guess anything is possible.