Cameron Diaz topless photo trial opens

Jul 14, 2005, 14:47 GMT

Los Angeles - A photographer who took topless photos and a racy video of Cameron Diaz before she became a Hollywood star went on trial Wednesday with prosecutors claiming that he forged her signature on the model's release form.

Diaz, 32, sued photographer John Rutter to stop the release of the photos, which were taken more than a decade ago.

Rutter, 41, is charged with grand theft, perjury and forgery. He pleaded not guilty, claiming he is the victim of a new campaign by the district attorney's office and to crack down on what stars say are the increasingly aggressive tactics of paparazzi.

The majority of the 20 photos in question all show Diaz topless. The 1992 video footage features a topless woman who looks like Diaz dressed in leather and fishnet stockings cavorting with another woman and a man in shackles.

Rutter was arrested in August 2003, as he was negotiating with Diaz to keep the photos private. Rutter claimed Diaz signed a valid release when he shot the pictures.

Authorities raided his apartment and seized the photos, which are being kept in a safe deposit box.

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