Dave Chappelle
Attacker pleads not guilty after knife attack
Dave Chappelle was attacked Tuesday night.
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Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage on Tuesday. The alleged attacker has now pleaded not guilty to four counts.
On Tuesday night, 23-year-old Isaiah Lee stormed the stage at the Hollywood Bowl during a live show by comedian Dave Chappelle, 48. During a court hearing Friday in Los Angeles, he pleaded not guilty to four counts, including assault and possession of a weapon with intent to assault. This is reported, among other things, by the “New York Post”. Lee’s defense attorney is said to have stated, among other things, that the 23-year-old did not draw his gun during the attack. She also stated that Lee received psychological help.
At the hearing, the judge ordered the 23-year-old to stay at least 100 yards from Chappelle and not to approach any of the comedian’s venues, including the Hollywood Bowl. Lee’s bail remains set at $30,000, which will be reviewed at a May 10 hearing. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for May 20.
At the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the attacker pulled Chappelle to the ground, even carrying a knife. Security forces reacted quickly and were able to overwhelm the attacker. Chappelle was unharmed and the performance resumed after a brief interruption.
The Los Angeles Attorney’s Office then filed charges against the alleged attacker. Another prosecutor initially dismissed the case. It was a criminal act, but not a crime, it was initially said. An indictment is therefore not necessary and one is not responsible at all, reported US media. As a result, the case moved from LA County jurisdiction to the desk of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.
Dave Chappelle talked to attacker
Chappelle was back on stage on Thursday. At a comedy show in Los Angeles, the comedian revealed according to “The Hollywood Reporter”that he talked to his attacker after the show. “I needed to speak to him and know the reason for the attack,” said Chappelle, who got the impression the man appeared to be mentally ill. The latter then explained to him that he wanted to draw attention to the plight of his grandmother, who had been gentrified from her neighborhood in Brooklyn.