Akon Seeks Jury Trial For Harrassment Case

The Associated Press reports Akon has asked for a trial date on charges stemming from a confrontation at one of his concerts last summer. During a performance on June 3, 2007 near Poughkeepsie, NY, Akon (real name Aliaune Thiam) was accused of throwing a 15-year-old boy off the stage. After the teenager allegedly began throwing objects at the singer during his performance, audience members claim Akon invited him on stage and tossed him into the crowd. Abby Rosa, who was also in attendance, claims she suffered symptoms of a concussion after the irate fan landed on her. In December of 2007 Akon pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment.

Akon's lawyer, Andrea Zellan, met with Judge Harold Epstein and Dutchess County Assistant District Attorney Anthony Parisi Wednesday to formally request a trial date. Legal proceedings will begin on Dec. 1 unless both parties can negotiate an out of court settlement.

"We are pleased that Judge Epstein adjourned the case to a date certain for either a trial or a negotiated resolution," Zellan said in a prepared statement. "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."

Akon had reportedly been working with pop icon Michael Jackson, and was enjoying a resurgence in popularity this summer. The Senegalese-American R&B singer, who owns Konvict Muzik, had his criminal past called into question by the website TheSmokingGun.com [click to read]. In addition the incident in upstate New York, Akon was also filmed gyrating against a 14-year-old female [click to read] who allegedly lied about her age at another performance earlier in 2007. The negative publicity caused Verizon to terminate their sponsorship of Gwen Stefani's tour, in which Akon was the opening act.