Current:Home > reviewsMorgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair -Ascend Finance Compass
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
View
Date:2025-04-14 14:43:48
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! (329)
Related
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Clandestine burial pits, bones and children's notebooks found in Mexico City, searchers say
- Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
- Torrential rains inundate southeastern Texas, causing flooding that has closed schools and roads
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- What to watch and listen to this weekend from Ryan Gosling's 'Fall Guy' to new Dua Lipa
- Could two wealthy, opinionated Thoroughbred owners reverse horse racing's decline?
- Connecticut lawmakers take first steps to pass bill calling for cameras at absentee ballot boxes
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- An AI-powered fighter jet took the Air Force’s leader for a historic ride. What that means for war
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Alabama court won’t revisit frozen embryo ruling
- Loss and Damage Meeting Shows Signs of Giving Developing Countries a Bigger Voice and Easier Access to Aid
- A shooting over pizza delivery mix-up? Small mistakes keep proving to be dangerous in USA.
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Massachusetts woman wins $1 million lottery twice in 10 weeks
- William H. Macy praises wife Felicity Huffman's 'great' performance in upcoming show
- Former New York Giants tight end Aaron Thomas dies at 86
Recommendation
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
Kirstie Alley's estate sale is underway. Expect vintage doors and a Jenny Craig ballgown.
Raven-Symoné Slams Death Threats Aimed at Wife Miranda Pearman-Maday
Wisconsin Supreme Court will decide whether mobile voting sites are legal
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Swiss company to build $184 million metal casting facility in Georgia, hiring 350
Instagram teams up with Dua Lipa, launches new IG Stories stickers
Uncomfortable Conversations: Being a bridesmaid is expensive. Can or should you say no?