Dave Chappelle Heckler Throws Bananas During 2015 Stand-Up Comedy Show, Now on Trial

Back in March of 2015, a heckler threw a banana at Dave Chappelle while he was doing a stand-up comedy set in New Mexico, which the comedian took as a racist act. Now that man, Christian Englander, 30, of Santa Fe, is facing charges of disturbing the peace and battery. Jury selection for Englander's trial is set for September 23rd. If convicted, he faces up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $500.

The incident started while Englander's friend was drawing a sketch during the show and Chappelle noticed. Chappelle asked for the man's name, which he gave as Johnny Appleseed, and this made Englander angry. That's when he threw the banana peel at him.

Englander says he hopes to avoid trial after this embarrassing ordeal.

"If I can, I would like to avoid a trial," Englander told Donita Sena in Magistrate Court. "I'm not afraid of the end result, but it's a waste of human resources."

There are "real criminals out there that they can try," he continued. "If there is a plea offering, I'll take it."

According to Chappelle, what Englander did was a racist act. After he was arrested, Chappelle went down to the police station and personally interrogated him. Apparently, Chappelle asked him "Don't you know bananas are racist?" Englander disagreed and Chappelle threw insults at Englander and his mom.

Apparently, this wasn't the last banana peel Englander threw at a black man. Two nights later the accused threw one at 39-year-old Jay Willis at a local bar. Englander still insisted he wasn't racist after that. Apparently he bought a bag of bananas on April Fool's Day as a joke and that peel was from his bag.

What do you think of the incident and the trail news? Let us know in the comments section below!