Trial set for man who threw banana peel at Dave Chappelle
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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – The man accused of throwing a banana peel at comedian Dave Chappelle during a New Mexico performance is headed to court.
Assistant District Attorney Anastasia Martin told the Santa Fe New Mexican Monday jury selection is scheduled for Sept. 23 for the trial of Christian Englander.
Englander, 31, who is white, has been charged with disturbing the peace and battery after the fruit-throwing disturbance in March while Chappelle was onstage at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe.
The petty misdemeanors each carry a jail sentence of up to six months and a possible fine of $500.
Englander acknowledged throwing a peel from a banana he had eaten earlier because he took offense to jokes Chappelle, who is African-American, made about his companion, according to police.
The friend reportedly was drawing in a sketchbook during the show when Chappelle noticed and asked the man his name, which he gave as “Johnny Appleseed.” Chappelle then made jokes about the moniker, and police said that’s why Englander got upset.
“If I can, I would like to avoid a trial,” Englander said Monday following a brief hearing before Judge Donita Sena in Magistrate Court. “I’m not afraid of the end result, but it’s a waste of human resources.”
Englander said there are “real criminals out there that they can try. If there is a plea offering, I’ll take it.”
Englander’s attorney, Roderick Thompson, said while there is always the possibility of a plea bargain, he could not say more about it.
The case has taken on racial overtones and attracted widespread attention after Chappelle said throwing the banana peel was a racist act.
Englander said Monday after the police apprehended him March 30, Chappelle came to the police station to interrogate him. There Chappelle asked him, “Don’t you know bananas are racist?”
Englander said he told Chappelle, 41, he did not agree and Chappelle then responded with profanity-laced insults about Englander and his mother.
Lt. Andrea Dobyns of the Santa Fe Police Department confirmed Chappelle appeared at the police station that night to talk to Englander.
A representative of the Gersh Agency, which represents Chappelle, declined comment Monday.