Morgan Wallen’s Chair-Throwing Case Set to Go Before Grand Jury This Week: What It Means for the CMA Entertainer of the Year

Morgan Wallen is facing four charges in connection to his chair-throwing incident in April. On April 7, Wallen allegedly threw a chair off of the roof at Eric Church’s Nashville bar. The chair landed near a pair of Metro Nashville Police officers. He was slated to be in court this Thursday (December 12). However, that won’t happen. Instead, a new hearing is scheduled for today (December 10).

According to WKRN, Wallen’s case will go in front of a Davidson County Grand Jury today. A spokesperson for the Nashville court told the outlet that the CMA Entertainer of the Year is facing four charges. He is looking at three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of disorderly conduct. The reckless endangerment charges—one for each of the officers the chair nearly hit and one for the public in general—are felonies. The disorderly conduct charge is a misdemeanor.

[RELATED: Morgan Wallen Arrested, Released From Nashville Jail After Allegedly Throwing Chair From Rooftop of Eric Church’s Bar]

In many cases, reckless endangerment is a misdemeanor in Tennessee. However, according to Legal Powers, “If the reckless endangerment is committed with a deadly weapon then the person is charged with an E felony.” Felony reckless endangerment carries a sentence of 1-6 years in prison and a hefty fine.

Will Morgan Wallen Be Sentenced Today?

No, Morgan Wallen will not be sentenced today. In fact, his case is a long way from going in front of what most people think of when they hear the word “jury.” There’s a good chance that Wallen’s case won’t go to trial.

According to the Nashville District Attorney’s Office, a grand jury is a panel of 13 citizens who will decide if there’s enough evidence to prove Wallen committed a crime. They will have no say in whether he is guilty or innocent. Furthermore, the grand jury proceedings exclude the defendant and their legal team. If the grand jury finds enough evidence, the case will go to criminal court.

If Wallen’s case goes to criminal court, it likely won’t go to trial. The majority of criminal cases in the United States are settled with plea bargains or “cutting a deal.” For instance, the court could offer Wallen probation or a very short sentence in exchange for a guilty plea.

Featured Image by John Shearer/Getty Images for for Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time 2024