Rolling Stone has learned that Isaiah Lee, the person who allegedly jumped onstage and tackledDave Chappelle during his comedy set, is considering a plea deal offer from prosecutors in his misdemeanor case.
Lee, 23, appeared in an L.A. courthouse Thursday where he agreed to a two-month delay in the probable case hearing for a separate incident in which he’s being charged with attempted murder. Lee allegedly stabbed his roommate during an altercation at a transitional housing apartment in December.
The charge surfaced two weeks after the incident with Chappelle at the Netflix Is a Joke festival. Lee has been charged in the Chappelle case 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.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón declined to press felony charges against Lee since the weapon he was carrying around at the time, a retractable knife attached to a replica handgun, was kept in the folded position, and Chappelle didn’t sustain any injuries from the attack. Gascón drew the ire of many, including 50 Cent and the comedian’s own lawyer.
“Mr. Chappelle wants this case charged as a felony,” Gabriel Colwell, a partner from the law firm Squire Patton Boggs, said. “Entertainers in Los Angeles need to know that the justice system will protect them on stage.”
Lee’s attorney Chelsea Padilla requested a delay in the Chappelle case, so her office could “see if there’s a disposition in the felony matter which would potentially resolve (this case) as well.” When asked by Deputy City Attorney Giselle Fernandez if Padilla intended to declare doubt as to Lee’s mental competency, she responded, “Not at this time.”
According to Los Angeles City Attorney Henrico Bautista, a motion was filed by the defense which stated Lee has a “mental health condition” and currently receives “mental health treatment.” Lee’s brother Aaron previously told Rolling Stone that he has struggled with his mental health.
In an interview with the New York Post last month, Lee said a joke about pedophilia from a comedian prior to Chappelle and some remarks by Dave himself compelled him to jump onstage. Lee said he was molested at the age of 17.
“I identify as bisexual… and I wanted him to know what he said was triggering,” Lee said of the incident. “I wanted him to know that next time, he should consider first running his material by people it could affect.”
