The guy who punched an unsuspecting Dr. Dre and caused the highly televised melee at last November's Vibe Awards has pled not guilty to assault charges in a Los Angeles Superior Court.

Jimmy James Johnson, 26 was positively identified as the man who approached Dre for an autograph and then punched him in the head as he waited stageside to receive a lifetime achievement award.

Dre's attack ignited a brawl that sent celebrities such as Quincy Jones and Alicia Keys running for the exits. Meanwhile, Dre's security and members of G-Unit rushed Johnson, who was then allegedly stabbed by G-Unit member Young Buck, aka Darnell Brown.

Johnson, who was later hospitalized with a punctured lung, is still in custody on a $1.4 million bail and is scheduled to return to court on January 26 where a judge will schedule a date for a preliminary trial.

Although there is still no apparent motive on Johnson's part, authorities are currently investigating a possible link between Johnson and Deathrow CEO Suge Knight, who is rumored to still have beef with Dre. who left the label in the mid 90s. An uninvited Knight sat a few seats behind Dre. in a direct violation of a restraining order against Knight, Dre obtained in 2001.

Young Buck, presently free on bail, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and faces up to 8 years in prison if convicted.