Columbus Short, the controversial former star of Scandal, made a brief appearance in a California court to plead not guilty to felony battery charges for allegedly knocking a man unconscious in a bar brawl in West Hollywood in March.
Short, who has been the subject of many news reports since it was announced that he wouldn't be returning for the hit show's fourth season, allegedly punched the man, who suffered serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket, the Associated Press reports.
Jeff Jacquet, Short's attorney, attempted to speed the case along, but Deputy District Attorney David Schorr told the judge that because of the nature of the injuries inflicted, the case didn't qualify for early dismissal. Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz agreed.
Schwartz ordered Short to return to court June 5 for the preliminary hearing.
Short has also been involved in a nasty public dispute with his estranged wife, Tanee McCall-Short, who alleges that he threatened her with a knife during a fight. Short has been charged with misdemeanor spousal battery, and his wife has filed for divorce since the alleged April knife incident. Short has also contested the restraining order filed against him and will be required to appear in court May 21.
A video reportedly filmed by Short that allegedly shows McCall-Short beating a woman alleged to be Short's mistress was posted on TMZ.
Read more at the Associated Press.