Akon Pleads Not Guilty To Charges Over Incident At June Concert
First Published: December 3, 2007 6:03 PM EST Credit: Associated Press
Caption akon-- FISHKILL, N.Y. (December 3, 2007) – Akon plead not guilty to criminal charges relating to an incident in June when the R&B star tossed a fan from the stage at one of his concerts,
Akon was charged late last month by authorities with one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a minor and a violation charge of second degree harassment.
A fan claimed she suffered a concussion when the young man Akon threw off the stage fell on her at his concert, according to a report by the Associated Press.
On Monday, the singer made a brief appearance in court and was released on his own recognizance, the AP reported. A justice said Akon does not have to appear when the case continues in January. His lawyer reportedly can stand in for him.
“It was never Akon’s intention to violate the law,” the singer’s Manhattan lawyer, said in statement. “This unfortunate incident was a spontaneous reaction during a live concert that Akon deeply regrets.”
While Akon was performing at KFEST in Fishkill, New York in June, someone in the crowd reportedly threw an object at the stage in the direction of the singer. Akon instructed the crowd to point out the individual and ordered security to bring the audience member on stage.
As security ushered the teen to the stage, Akon took off his jewelry and his shirt and when the concertgoer, later identified as a 15-year-old male, was brought to the stage, Akon picked up, hoisted him over his shoulders and hurled the teen back into the crowd.
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