Alleged Dave Chappelle attacker Isaiah Lee pleads not guilty
Dave Chappelle’s alleged on-stage attacker pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanor charges in Los Angeles on Friday as the wannabe rapper faced court for the first time since the Hollywood Bowl ordeal.
Isaiah Lee, 23, appeared in court with a swollen eye and his arm in a black sling after he was roughed up by security just moments after allegedly tackling Chappelle during his Tuesday show while armed with a bizarre knife that looks like a handgun.
“He charged a person on the stage … in front of hundreds if not thousands … and then tackled the victim and fled from security. When they detained him, he reached for and used the folding knife,” prosecutor Henrico Bautista told the court.
Lee’s public defender, Chelsea Padilla, denied he ever brandished the weapon during the caught-on-camera attack.
“The only injury was actually to Mr. Lee … facial injuries from 12 people stomping on Mr. Lee while he was on stage,” Lee’s attorney said.
Lee’s attorney told the judge the accused, who appeared in court wearing a blue padded “suicide gown,” was receiving mental health services.
The judge ruled Lee’s bail would remain at $30,000 — even though his attorney claimed he had “no prior history of violence” and wasn’t a danger to the community.
Lee was also ordered to stay away from Chappelle, the comedian’s Ohio home and any venue where he’s performing, including the Hollywood Bowl.
The misdemeanor counts Lee was hit with Thursday include battery, possessing a deadly weapon with intent to assault, unauthorized access to the stage area during a performance and commission of an act that delays the event or interferes with the performer.
The misdemeanor charges were brought by the LA City Attorney’s Office after the LA County DA handed off the case, saying the ordeal didn’t warrant felony charges.
The DA’s office said it doesn’t prosecute misdemeanor charges in LA.
Lee, who was initially arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, was caught on camera knocking the famous comedian to the floor before security detained him on stage during Tuesday night’s show.
More coverage on the Dave Chappelle attack:
- The security firm at the Dave Chappelle gig also had guards at the deadly Astroworld concert and the Las Vegas mass shooting
- Chappelle’s alleged attacker is a rapper with a song named after him
- Is the Chappelle attack ‘the beginning of the end of comedy?’
The alleged attacker, who has put out rap tunes, including one called “Dave Chappell,” was briefly hospitalized before being booked into jail, cops said.
“What should have been an evening of laughter at the Hollywood Bowl this past Tuesday night was suddenly interrupted when suspect Isaiah Lee allegedly charged onto the stage attacking comedian Dave Chappelle,” City Attorney Mike Feuer, who is running for mayor, said Thursday.
“This alleged attack has got to have consequences … My office takes protecting public safety extremely seriously and we are going to vigorously prosecute this case.”
