Dave Chappelle’s attacker charged with attempted murder for stabbing roommate last year
May 19, 2022 Matt Dave Chappelle, News
Isaiah Lee, the crazed man who attacked Dave Chappelle on stage at The Hollywood Bowl earlier this month has been charged with attempted murder. But it’s not for the Chappelle attack but from an earlier encounter with his roommate late last year. Lee was charged earlier today in connection with a fight he had with his roommate at a transitional house facility on December 2nd 2021.
Lee pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted murder over the fight, LA prosecutors said. The charges were brought against Lee because of the high profile media attention the Chappelle attack generated. It prompted police to look into Lee’s criminal past (he has a few priors) and victim was able to identify him as the attacker in the stabbing.
“The publicity generated by the attack on Mr. Chappelle helped police solve this crime,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “The incident that occurred at the Hollywood Bowl was misdemeanor conduct and rightfully referred to the City Attorney’s Office. Based on the nature and severity of the December attack, Mr. Lee is now facing felony charges which my office will prosecute.”
Regarding charges stemming from the Chappelle incident, Lee was arrested the night of the attack and taken to the hospital after suffering from a broken arm after fighting with venue security. He was initially charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon because he was carrying a fake gun with a real knife inside of it. Chappelle later stated that he got a chance to speak with Lee after the attack and Lee claimed the attack was his way of raising awareness about gentrification of his grandmother’s neighborhood.
Lee’s charges were later downgraded to 4 misdemeanors – 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. He pleaded guilty to those charges and appeared in an LA courtroom last week where a judge rejected his bid to be released on his own recognizance and left his bail at $30,000.
Lee’s attorney stated that he was receiving mental health services as he appeared in court in a padded suicide gown. His pre-trial date for the Chapelle incident is set for Friday. His next court date for the attempted murder case will be on June 2nd.
