Hip-hop singer Akon to stand trial

1:28pm Thursday 4th September 2008

Hip-hop star Akon will face trial on criminal charges he threw a fan off stage at a New York state concert last summer.

The 35-year-old singer asked for the jury trial during a brief appearance with his lawyer in Fishkill Town Court.

He is due back in court for trial on December 1 unless a deal is negotiated in the meantime.

Akon pleaded not guilty in December to misdemeanour charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment, a violation.

He was accused of throwing a teenage boy off the stage during a June 2007 concert at a minor league baseball stadium near Poughkeepsie.

Another concertgoer said she suffered a concussion when the teen landed on her.