US rapper Kanye West may have a charge of felony vandalism downscaled to misdemeanor because of a loop-hole in Californian law.

West and his road manager, Dom Crowley, were both arrested and charged last Friday over an incident at Los Angeles International Aiport.

The pair were captured on video smashing a photographers camera at the American Airlines terminal as they waited to board a flight to Hawaii.

After realising they had been caught on video, Crowley then pursued the film-maker and grabbed his camera, causing exterior damage to the device.

According to celebrity website TMZ, who published a video of the incident, West only damaged a light unit – which costs around $100 - in the incident.

The publication claims that under Californian law, a person can only be prosecuted for felony vandalism if damage of more than $400 is incurred.

That would mean Crowley, who could be seen smashing two cameras – believed to be worth over a $1000 – in the incident, would face the charge of felony vandalism.

It's likely West's charge will be downscaled to misdemeanor.

(by Jason Gregory)