Rapper Akon pleads not guilty to tossing underage fan off stage..."it was a spontaneous reaction"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Akon -- Toss These Charges!



http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/03/akon-toss-these-charges/

Posted Dec 3rd 2007 9:29AM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music
Rapper Akon has pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and harassment, after allegedly tossing an underage fan off a stage.

Akon showed up at the Fishkill, NY Police Department today to be processed -- in advance of his scheduled 9:00 AM court appearance. He rolled up in a black Cadillac Escalade SUV -- natch.

The town justice released the 34-year-old singer on his own recognizance following his brief court appearance. Akon was told that he will not be forced to be present at future court appearances and his lawyer can stand in for him. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, who has also represented P. Diddy, said in a written statement "It was never Akon's intention to violate the law. This unfortunate incident was a spontaneous reaction during a live concert that Akon deeply regrets."

The next court date is in January.

Video of the incident at the URL below. He yanks the kid onstage and hurls him into the audience:

Akon Charged in Crazy Stage Toss Incident

Posted Nov 29th 2007 7:41PM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music

http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/29/akon-charged-in-crazy-stage-toss-incident/



Akon! WTF? There's no need to throw a kid off the stage! Cops apparently agree and have now charged the R&B singer with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment.

The charges stem from an incident last June in upstate NY when he was performing at a concert and someone in the crowd allegedly threw something at the singer on stage. Akon asked the crowd to point out the culprit. A security guard picked a 15-year-old out from the crowd and sent him up to the stage, where Akon hoisted him onto his shoulders and flung him into the crowd. Smack that! The kid landed on another teen who told the local paper she was later diagnosed with a concussion.

Akon is scheduled to appear in a local court on Monday for arraignment. Locked up!

[marmar]

1. Akon is a singer.....but I guess they're all the same to TMZ.

:eyes:

[Deep13]

2. Yes, that's a defense to assault.

Doesn't matter. Famous entertainers can't be convicted for anything.

[Poiuyt]

3. Just what is the legal age for a fan to be tossed off stage?

[Ezlivin]

4. And now the shit is going to hit the fan

What fascinating lives these entertainers lead!

[NavyDavy]

5. i saw it the kid threw some kind of disc or frisbee at akon...and

he asked the crowd to point him out and told the crowd to send him up to the stage which they did and he picked the kid up like he was going to a wrestling power slam and tossed the kid about 10 ft off the stage