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.
Authorities believe Johnson punched the legendary producer several times in the face during the awards ceremony, after Dre refused to sign an autograph.
According to police accounts, one member of the G-Unit, rapper Young Buck, stabbed Johnson in the chest. Johnson subsequently suffered a collapsed lung. Buck, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.