Legal Proceedings Advance in Morgan Wallen’s Chair-Throwing Case
As reported by Billboard, the criminal case involving country music star Morgan Wallen, accused of recklessly throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story Nashville bar, is set to continue after an initial court hearing. Wallen's attorney, Worrick Robinson, represented him in the Nashville court Friday, where a judge scheduled the next hearing for August 15. Although Wallen did not appear in person, having waived this right, his presence is confirmed for the forthcoming date.
The incident, which led to Wallen's arrest on April 7, allegedly occurred at Chief’s on Broadway, a venue owned by fellow country artist Eric Church. According to police reports, the chair thrown by Wallen nearly hit two Metro Nashville Police Department officers, landing just three feet away as they stood on the street below. The police were able to corroborate Wallen's involvement through witness statements and security camera footage.
In a statement released on April 19, Wallen expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledged the respect he holds for law enforcement officers, and confirmed that his tour schedule would remain unchanged despite the legal challenges.
Wallen has been charged with three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. These charges stem from his alleged action of throwing a chair from a high-rise building, potentially endangering the lives of individuals below.
Under Tennessee law, reckless endangerment becomes a felony when the conduct involves a deadly weapon or has a high probability of causing death or serious bodily injury to others. According to Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-103, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon is classified as a Class E felony. This law is typically invoked when an individual's actions are deemed recklessly disregarding the safety of others, showing an utter indifference to the potential consequences that such actions might incur.
In Wallen’s case, the act of throwing a chair from a six-story building could be construed as using an object (the chair) as a deadly weapon, given the potential for serious harm if the chair had struck someone. A conviction under this statute can result in a range of penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and probation, depending on the circumstances and the defendant’s criminal history.
Disorderly conduct in Tennessee is outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-305. This charge is generally considered a Class C misdemeanor and encompasses several types of disruptive behaviors. Key among these is causing a public disturbance through actions that are inherently dangerous or offensive to the public peace. Disorderly conduct charges can cover a broad spectrum of actions, from physical altercations to public disturbances that alarm or provoke others.
For Wallen, the misdemeanor charge likely arises from the nature of his conduct, which, in addition to creating a physical hazard, also disrupted public order and could have incited panic or alarm among bystanders or those in the vicinity.
Robinson, addressing the complexity of the case, indicated that the resolution would likely involve subpoenas and witness testimonies. "The state will subpoena witnesses and we’ll work on the case on our end," Robinson stated, suggesting that the upcoming court date could see a range of outcomes from a hearing to a possible settlement or further continuations.
During discussions with the media, Robinson also touched on the surveillance footage that captured the incident and commented on the inaccuracies sometimes present in police reports, particularly concerning Wallen's alleged reaction to the incident. When asked about the potential to settle the case, Robinson noted, "These cases are always complicated, and you just never know what’s going to happen. As an attorney, all you can do is be prepared."
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Wallen's career continues to thrive, highlighted by his current series of sold-out shows at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium as part of his "One Night at a Time" tour. His continued public appearances and performances indicate that, for now, his professional life remains largely unaffected by the unfolding legal situation.
