The man who tackled Dave Chappelle during the Netflix Is a Joke festival has been offered a plea deal.
Isaiah Lee has been charged with battery, possession of a 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 23-year-old says he identifies as bisexual, and hearing Chappelle’s jokes regarding the LGBTQ+ community triggered him to confront the comedian during the May 3rd set.
Lee’s charges pertaining to Chappelle are all misdemeanors. Some outrage was sparked when Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón decided against felony charges due to the retractable knife attached to Lee’s replica gun being kept in the folded position. However, Lee still faces felony attempted murder charges for stabbing his former roommate. On Thursday, Lee appeared in a Los Angeles courthouse, where he agreed to a two-month delay of the probable cause hearing in that case. His public defender for the Chappelle case requested a similar delay.
It is unclear what that plea deal would entail, but it is unlikely a decision will be reached until the court decides what to do in his felony case.
“An offer has been extended by the City Attorney’s Office, but it hasn’t been accepted yet,” said Deputy City Attorney Giselle Fernandez.
Dave Chappelle has not publicly commented on this latest development.
