A man accused of attacking comedian Dave Chappelle on stage was also charged with the attempted murder of a roommate months earlier, authorities said Thursday.
Isaiah Lee, 23, has pleaded not guilty to the December stabbing that occurred during a fight at a Los Angeles halfway house, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.
Publicity following the Chappelle incident helped identify and arrest Lee in the earlier attack, prosecutors said.
A message left at the county public defender’s office seeking comment from an attorney for Lee was not immediately returned.
Lee was arrested on May 3 after allegedly rushing the stage and tackling Chappelle during his stand-up at the Hollywood Bowl.
He was carrying a replica handgun with a large blade extending from it, similar to a pocket knife, according to police, who released a photo of the weapon.
Chappelle was uninjured and completed the show which was part of the Netflix is a joke comedy party.
Lee pleaded not guilty to counts of assault and battery, possession of a deadly weapon with intent to assault and two counts related to interfering with a public event. He has remained incarcerated since the attack.
WATCH | The comedians discuss attacks on stage by Chappelle, Chris Rock:
Comedians Godfrey and Simon King discuss the onstage attacks on Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, how the assaults were handled, and their experiences with unstable audience members.
