Snoop Dogg appeared in court in California on Friday (24Apr09) to fight a civil lawsuit from a man who alleges he was assaulted by the rapper in 2005.

Richard Monroe, Jr. is seeking $22 million in damages and punitive penalties from Snoop Dogg over claims the hip-hop star and his entourage attacked him during a concert at the White River Amphitheater on the outskirts of Seattle, Washington.

Monroe Jr. alleges the rapper – real name Calvin Broadus – hit him with a microphone after he jumped on stage and put his hand on the star’s shoulder. He then claims Broadus’ security guards hauled him off and delivered a savage beating.