Dave Chappelle’s Attacker Asks Judge To Transfer Him To A Mental Health Program
Dave Chappelle’s Attacker Asks Judge To Transfer Him To A Mental Health Program
The man behind bars for attacking comedian Dave Chappelle is asking a court judge for a transfer.
According to reports, attorney’s for 23-year-old Isaiah Lee recently motioned a court judge to move him from the Los Angeles county jail to a mental health program. Lee was arrested in back in May of this year after tackling Dave Chappelle, 48, during a live comedy show. Reportedly, prosecutors plan to rebut the motion.
Dave Chappelle was attacked by a man who rushed the stage during comedian's performance at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Chappelle and the man tussled on the stage floor before the man ran away behind a screen on stage. Security staff surrounded and tackled the man. ? @abc7la pic.twitter.com/xGB6DcFLKK
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Upon being taken in following the attack, Lee told authorities he was “triggered” by the comedic vets jokes about the LGBTQ+ community and homelessness. Following the incident, Chappelle joked that he was attacked by “a homeless guy with mental problems”.
Though Lee – who was significantly injured by Chappelle’s security following the attack – did see some success in the case after his charges were dropped from felony assault with a deadly weapon to misdemeanor battery, getting into the mental health program may not come easy or quickly.
Los Angeles City Deputy Attorney Giselle M. Fernandez reportedly stated on the matter:
“When (the Public Defender) argues that someone does not have the full capacity, usually that person is sent off to get evaluated….They take mental health classes and they are on ‘diversion’ for a period of time. And if they finished diversion, a case could be dismissed if they do mental health diversion successfully.”
She continued:
“There’s a lot that goes into it. There has to be an evaluation and there has to be a motion and the judge has to grant it.”
Reportedly, California’s ‘Mental Health Diversion’ program allows a person charged with a crime the opportunity to go through mental health treatment for a chance to have charges dropped or reduced. This being contingent upon the enrollees ability to meet the programs demands.
Lee’s hearing on the matter is reportedly set for August 23rd.
[VIA]
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