Current:Home > ContactMorgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair -Quantum Capital Pro
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-07 19:51:58
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! (9)
Related
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Who Is Barron Trump? Get to Know Donald Trump and Melania Trump's 18-Year-Old Son
- Focused amid the gunfire, an AP photographer captures another perspective of attack on Trump
- Will Simone Biles' husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, be in Paris?
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Rafael Nadal will compete in singles at the Paris Olympics, his manager tells the AP
- MLB trade deadline tracker 2024: Breaking down every deal before baseball's big day
- Justin Timberlake's lawyer says singer wasn't drunk, 'should not have been arrested'
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Team USA cyclist Chloe Dygert wins bronze medal in individual time trial
Ranking
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixtapes
- Why these Apache Catholics felt faced with a ‘false choice’ after priest removed church’s icons
- US women's 4x100 free relay wins silver at Paris Olympics
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Why are more adults not having children? New study may have an explanation.
- Fostering a kitten? A Californian university wants to hear from you
- Evy Leibfarth 'confident' for other Paris Olympics events after mistakes in kayak slalom
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
How U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team shattered age stereotype: 'Simone changed that'
American Carissa Moore began defense of her Olympic surfing title, wins first heat
Watching the Eras Tour for free, thousands of Swifties 'Taylor-gate' in Munich, Germany
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Why these Apache Catholics felt faced with a ‘false choice’ after priest removed church’s icons
Bette Midler talks 'Mamma Mia!' moment in new movie: 'What have we done?'
MLB trade deadline tracker 2024: Breaking down every deal before baseball's big day