NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen denied to police that he threw a chair off a Nashville honky-tonk bar roof before and after he was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment in 2024, police video obtained by The Associated Press shows.
Following his April 2024 arrest, Wallen expressed via social media, I'm not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility, noting he had made amends with local law enforcement. By December, he had pled guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment.
Police footage captured various aspects of Wallen's arrest, including struggle and denial, demonstrating the complexity of the events. Initially, Wallen expressed confusion over what had occurred, claiming, I don't know, as he faced questioning about the incident involving the chair.
Witnesses reportedly stated they observed Wallen throw the chair, despite his emphatic denials alongside comments suggesting he did not intend for harm. This incident has further complicated Wallen's public image, following previous controversies including a racial slur incident in 2021.
The consequences of this latest legal trouble led to a brief sentencing where Wallen was ordered to complete a seven-day DUI education program and undergo probation for two years. Notably, the charges could be eligible for dismissal and expungement after the probation period.
Wallen's rise in country music has seen numerous highs, including hits on the Billboard charts; however, incidents like this reflect ongoing scrutiny of his off-stage behavior and its implications for his career.
