Morgan Wallen takes guilty plea in chair-throwing case

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Country music star Morgan Wallen appeared in a Nashville courtroom Thursday to take a plea deal in his case for throwing a chair from a Broadway rooftop bar earlier this year.

Wallen pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor reckless endangerment charges, rather than felony reckless endangerment.

His plea was followed by the District Attorney stating both officers, who were almost hit, approved the plea deal.

“Are those facts true and correct?" The judge asked Wallen.

"Substantially yes," Wallen answered.

"Are you waiving your right here today and entering a plea of guilty in your pending case?" the judge continued.

"Conditionally guilty yes,” Wallen responded.

A Nashville judge approved a suspended 11 month, 29 day sentence, minus seven days' incarceration that will be served in a DUI education center. The remainder of the sentence will be served under supervised probation, Judge Cynthia Chappell ordered. The effective sentence is two years, per the judge.

Wallen was arrested in early April 2024 after throwing a chair off the roof of Eric Church's six-story bar, Chief's on Broadway. The chair hit the sidewalk near two Metro Nashville Police officers who were standing outside the bar on patrol.

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The CMA Entertainer of the Year was charged with three felony reckless endangerment charges—two for the two Metro officers almost hit by the chair and one for the threat to the general public—as well as disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

Wallen's defense attorney, Worrick Robinson, previously said his client would waive his preliminary hearing, and the case would therefore be bound over to the Davidson County Grand Jury, but by Tuesday, Dec. 10, Robinson said he and the Davidson County District Attorney's Office were working toward a plea agreement.

The details of the plea were not fully known until Thursday, Dec. 12, when the singer appeared in Davidson County Criminal Court.

Wallen's plea is subject to judicial diversion, according to Chappell.

Wallen's defense attorney issued the following statement after his court appearance:

Earlier today (12/12/24), Morgan Wallen appeared in Davidson County Circuit Court with Judge Cynthia Chappell presiding where he entered a conditional plea pursuant to Tennessee’s Diversion Statute that does not result in a conviction. The plea agreement with the Office of the District Attorney requires Mr. Wallen to spend 7 days at a DUI Education Center, be on probation for 2 years—one year for each of the misdemeanor charges for reckless endangerment—pay a $350 fine and court fees. Upon the successful completion of his probation, the charges will be eligible for dismissal and expungement. 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.

Worrick Robinson IV, Worrick Robinson Law, PLLC