Current:Home > FinanceMorgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair -TradeSphere
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
View
Date:2025-04-11 13:36:30
Morgan Wallen pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment, reduced from the three Class E felonies he was initially charged with, ending an eight-month process for the country crooner.
He will be held for seven days in a DUI education center. He will then be on supervised probation for two years.
Wallen, with a fresh haircut and clean shave, appeared alongside his attorney, Worrick Robinson, to accept the plea. It was the first time the singer made an in-person appearance in a courtroom for the charges. The hearing lasted 10 minutes.
When Judge Cynthia Chappell asked how Wallen pleaded, he replied: "Conditionally guilty."
More:Timeline of Morgan Wallen's rollercoaster career after his most recent arrest
Need a break?Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Wallen was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and one count of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, after he threw a chair from the roof of Chief's, a six-story honky-tonk on Broadway opened by Eric Church, in April.
As soon as Chappell entered her judgment, Wallen was swiftly ushered out of the courtroom, Robinson beside him and bodyguards flanking them. Wallen made no comments as he got into an elevator.
In a written statement issued after the proceedings, Robinson said Wallen's agreement, should his client adhere to all provisions, will "not result in a conviction." Wallen will also have to pay a $350 fine and court fees.
"Upon the successful completion of his probation, the charges will be eligible for dismissal and expungement," Robinson said. "Mr. Wallen has cooperated fully with authorities throughout these last eight months, directly communicating and apologizing to all involved. Mr. Wallen remains committed to making a positive impact through his music and foundation."
According to court records from April, it was minutes before 11 p.m. when police officers standing in front of Chief's bar saw a chair come flying down, crashing onto the street just three feet from two officers. Security footage from the bar showed Wallen throw an object over the roof, according to his arrest affidavit.
After his arrest, Wallen posted a $15,250 bond and was released the next morning.
Days later, Wallen took to social media to accept responsibility for the offense. "I didn't feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks," he said in the post to X, formerly known as Twitter. "I've touched base with Nashville law enforcement, my family, and the good people at Chief’s. I'm not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility."
In a Tuesday hearing, Wallen's attorney told General Sessions Judge Jim Todd that the singer was waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and a grand jury presentment. The case was quickly rolled into circuit criminal court Wednesday and a hearing was promptly scheduled to accept his plea.
Records filed Wednesday showed details of the agreement and the lessening of charges to two counts of reckless endangerment without a deadly weapon.
The charges each carried a maximum sentence of up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.
In November, Wallen was named Entertainer of the Year at the 58th Annual CMA Awards. Wallen was not in attendance, and the presenter, actor Jeff Bridges, accepted the award on his behalf.
Contributing: Evan Mealins, The Nashville Tennessean
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- On the Wisconsin-Iowa Border, the Mississippi River Is Eroding Sacred Indigenous Mounds
- Harris and Trump will both make a furious last-day push before Election Day
- In Arizona’s Senate Race, Both Candidates Have Plans to Address Drought. But Only One Acknowledges Climate Change’s Role
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Could daylight saving time ever be permanent? Where it stands in the states
- Europe’s human rights watchdog urges Cyprus to let migrants stuck in UN buffer zone seek asylum
- Harris assails Trump for saying Liz Cheney should have rifles ‘shooting at her’
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Teddi Mellencamp’s Estranged Husband Edwin Arroyave Shares Post About “Dark Days” Amid Divorce
Ranking
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- How Fracking Technology Could Drive a Clean-Energy Boom
- Target transforms stores into 'Fantastical Forest' to kick off holiday shopping season
- Crooks up their game in pig butchering scams to steal money
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Cheese village, Santa's Workshop: Aldi to debut themed Advent calendars for holidays
- Dak Prescott injury update: Cowboys QB shares outlook for next week vs. Eagles
- Britain has banned protests outside abortion clinics, but silent prayer is a gray area
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
2 Ohio officers charged with reckless homicide in death of man in custody after crash arrest
Here’s what to watch as Election Day approaches in the U.S.
Chloë Grace Moretz shares she is a 'gay woman' in Kamala Harris endorsement
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Police in Michigan say 4 killed, 17 injured after semitruck crashes into vehicles stuck in traffic
'Thank God': Breonna Taylor's mother reacts to Brett Hankison guilty verdict
Massachusetts firefighters continue to battle stubborn brush fires across state