Heckler Defends Banana Toss

A man arrested after throwing a banana peel that hit comedian Dave Chappelle in the leg during a performance in Santa Fe, N.M., says it was just an act of heckling and that he “thought a joker could take a joke.”

Photo: Brian Bohannon, file/AP

Attending a reception at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky.

Christian Englander was arrested on suspicion of battery and disorderly conduct May 30. Englander said he threw the banana peel because he objected to Chappelle making jokes at the expense of his friend.

Police said after the arrest that Englander appeared to be highly intoxicated.

Englander said he’d had a shot of liquor and “definitely felt warm and fuzzy.”