Current:Home > MyMorgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair -AssetLink
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
View
Date:2025-04-19 00:15:34
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! (7)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Derek Chauvin, ex-officer convicted in George Floyd's killing, stabbed in prison
- Hamas to release second group of Israeli hostages after hours-long delay, mediators say
- World's largest iceberg — 3 times the size of New York City — on the move for the first time in 37 years
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- An abducted German priest is said to be freed in Mali one year after being seized in the capital
- Kenya raises alarm as flooding death toll rises to 76, with thousands marooned by worsening rains
- EU border agency helping search for missing crew after cargo ship sinks off Greece
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- The 55 Best Cyber Monday Sales to Start Off Your Week: Pottery Barn, Revolve & More
Ranking
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Qatar is the go-to mediator in the Mideast war. Its unprecedented Tel Aviv trip saved a shaky truce
- Hamas to release second group of Israeli hostages after hours-long delay, mediators say
- Merriam-Webster's word of the year definitely wasn't picked by AI
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Police arrest suspect in possible 'hate-motivated' shooting of three Palestinian students
- College football coaching carousel: A look at who has been hired and fired this offseason
- Diplomas for sale: $465, no classes required. Inside one of Louisiana’s unapproved schools
Recommendation
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
As Trump’s fraud trial eyes his sweeping financial reports, executive says they’re not done anymore
Paul Lynch, Irish author of 'Prophet Song,' awarded over $60K with 2023 Booker Prize
Accused security chief for sons of El Chapo arrested in Mexico: A complete psychopath
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Putin signs Russia’s largest national budget, bolstering military spending
Sister Wives' Janelle and Christine Brown Respond to Kody’s Claim They're Trash Talking Him
Late Show’s Stephen Colbert Suffers Ruptured Appendix