Jimmy James Johnson, the Los Angeles man who allegedly punched hip-hop impresario Dr. Dre during November's second annual Vibe Awards — sparking a melee that included members of rap clique G-Unit — must stand trial on an assault charge, a California judge ruled Friday.
Judge James Dabney found sufficient evidence to try the 26-year-old Johnson, according to a report from The Associated Press. Authorities believe Johnson punched the legendary producer several times in the face during the awards ceremony, after Dre refused to sign an autograph. The assault incited an all-out brawl, as several bodyguards and G-Unit members rushed to Dre's defense
According to police accounts, one member of the G-Unit, rapper Young Buck, stabbed Johnson in the chest. Johnson subsequently suffered a collapsed lung. The fracas spread to involve many of the 1,000 people in attendance that evening.
Buck, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for his alleged role in the incident; he has since pleaded not guilty and is out on bail awaiting trial (see "Young Buck Pleads Not Guilty In Vibe Awards Stabbing"). Young Buck is due to next appear in court this coming Friday. He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted, according to Deputy District Attorney Hamid Towfigh.
Johnson pleaded not guilty to assault at his arraignment back in January .Attempts by Santa Monica Police investigators to ascertain the identities of two other individuals seen brandishing knives in video footage from the Vibe Awards attacks are said to be ongoing.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1501466/20050509/dr_dre.jhtml?headlines=true
Judge James Dabney found sufficient evidence to try the 26-year-old Johnson, according to a report from The Associated Press. Authorities believe Johnson punched the legendary producer several times in the face during the awards ceremony, after Dre refused to sign an autograph. The assault incited an all-out brawl, as several bodyguards and G-Unit members rushed to Dre's defense
According to police accounts, one member of the G-Unit, rapper Young Buck, stabbed Johnson in the chest. Johnson subsequently suffered a collapsed lung. The fracas spread to involve many of the 1,000 people in attendance that evening.
Buck, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for his alleged role in the incident; he has since pleaded not guilty and is out on bail awaiting trial (see "Young Buck Pleads Not Guilty In Vibe Awards Stabbing"). Young Buck is due to next appear in court this coming Friday. He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted, according to Deputy District Attorney Hamid Towfigh.
Johnson pleaded not guilty to assault at his arraignment back in January .Attempts by Santa Monica Police investigators to ascertain the identities of two other individuals seen brandishing knives in video footage from the Vibe Awards attacks are said to be ongoing.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1501466/20050509/dr_dre.jhtml?headlines=true
