Isaiah Lee charged over stabbing at a homeless hostel

The man accused of attacking Dave Chappelle on stage at the Hollywood Bowl has been  charged with attempted murder over a separate incident.

Isaiah Lee, 23, stands accused of stabbing his roommate at a temporary housing facility for homeless people in December.

The victim came forward to identify Lee as the person responsible for the attack – which he had  previously reported to police – after seeing  media reports about the Chappelle case.

‘The publicity generated by the attack on Mr. Chappelle helped police solve this crime,’ Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said.

‘The incident that occurred at the Hollywood Bowl was misdemeanour 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.’

Lee pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder yesterday and is scheduled to return to court on June 2.

He is further  accused of rushing Chappelle while carrying a replica gun that contained a switchblade while the comic performed at the Netflix Is a Joke Festival earlier month.

Lee pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanour counts relating that incident : battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault, unauthorised access to the stage area during a performance and commission of an act that delays an event or interferes with a performer.

He remains jailed in lieu of $30,000 bail. If he manages to post bail and is released, he will have to syat at least 100 yards away from Chappelle.

‘This alleged attack has got to have consequences,’ City Attorney Mike Feuer said when he announced the charges. ‘My office takes protecting public safety extremely seriously and we are going to vigorously prosecute this case.’

Published: 20 May 2022