Current:Home > FinanceMorgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair -GrowthSphere Strategies
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
View
Date:2025-04-18 20:14:45
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! (7348)
Related
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- CVS CEO Karen Lynch on decision to carry the abortion pill, cybersecurity threats
- What's next for Odell Beckham Jr.? Here's 5 options for the veteran superstar, free agent
- Grid-Enhancing ‘Magic Balls’ to Get a Major Test in Minnesota
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- 'The first dolphin of its kind:' Remains of ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon.
- Cruise ship stranded in 2019 could have been one of the worst disasters at sea, officials say
- Tracy Morgan Reveals He Gained 40 Pounds While Taking Ozempic
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- As Ukraine aid languishes, 15 House members work on end run to approve funds
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Evers vetoes Republican election bills, signs sales tax exemption for precious metals
- Hyundai recalls more than 98,000 cars due to loss of drive power
- Wall Street debut of Trump’s Truth Social network could net him stock worth billions on paper
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Get a Next-Level Cleaning and Save 42% On a Waterpik Water Flosser During Amazon's Big Spring Sale
- A small town suspended its entire police force. Residents want to know why
- The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (March 17)
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Aaron Taylor-Johnson says fascination with wife's 23-year age gap is 'bizarre'
Arizona has struggled in the NCAA Tournament. Can it shake it off with trip to Final Four?
One of the last remaining Pearl Harbor attack survivors, Richard Dick Higgins, has died at 102
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Hilary Duff’s 12-Year-Old Son Luca Is All Grown Up in Sweet Birthday Tribute
Biden administration forgives $6 billion in student debt. Here's who qualifies for forgiveness.
Michael Lorenzen to join Rangers on one-year deal, per reports