That long-running 'fan toss' case, brought against Akon over a year ago now, rumbles on. The latest development is the decision that the singer should stand trial, after he pleaded not guilty to charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment.
As previously reported, Akon got security guards to pick 15 year old Anthony Smith out of the audience after he allegedly threw something at the R&B star during his performance at a festival organised by US radio station K104 in June last year. Akon then manhandled Smith and ultimately threw him back into the crowd. Although the incident was videoed, it wasn't entirely clear if Smith was playing along (and the being thrown into the audience was essentially an elaborate stage dive), or whether Akon was in fact assaulting him live on stage. Matters weren't helped when Smith landed on another fan, who claimed she was concussed.
A statement issued by Akon's lawyers Benjamin Brafman and Andrea Zellan said: "We are pleased that Judge Epstein adjourned the case to a date certain for either a trial or a negotiated resolution. Akon looks forward to putting this incident behind him, and in the meantime he will continue to meet every requirement set forth by the Court".
Smith's father, William said outside the court: "We didn't expect this to happen. We'll see".
Assuming there is no out of court settlement, as hinted at by Akon's lawyers, the singer's trial will begin on 1 Dec at Fishkill Town Court in New York State. I trust no one in the jury will be tempted to throw anything at the defendant.