Country star Chris Young ‘gratified’ as assault charges dropped after 'hostile' arrest at a Nashville bar
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Country music singer Chris Young is no longer facing any criminal charges in Tennessee after prosecutors decided to dismiss the case against him.
The Nashville district attorney as per a report confirmed that the 38-year-old was cleared of any wrongdoing following his arrest last Monday night, January 22, at a Nashville bar.
Chris Young ‘gratified’ with DA’s decision
On Friday, January 26, Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk issued a statement saying that he was closing Young’s case after reviewing all the evidence.
Funk wrote, “Regarding the Chris Young incident — After a review of all the evidence in this case, the Office of the District Attorney has determined that these charges will be dismissed.”
As the charges were dropped, Young’s attorney Bill Ramsey said in a statement sent to Fox News saying, “Mr Young and I are gratified with the DA’s decision clearing him of the charges and any wrong-doing.”
Representatives for Young said the singer is now looking forward to releasing his new album and heading out on tour soon.
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The Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission also stated to the outlet saying, “We respect General Funk’s decision to drop the charges against Mr Young.
"All law enforcement and first responders deserve to be safe while on duty. For your safety and theirs, we ask the public to not make physical contact or interfere with officers while they are working.”
Chris Young was charged with three misdemeanors which included assaulting an officer
Chris Young was accused of three misdemeanors – disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault on officer offensive contact – after he allegedly got into a physical altercation with an agent from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) at the DawgHouse Saloon.
However, his attorney Bill Ramsey said that the surveillance video from the bar showed that Young did not assault the officer and that he was wrongfully arrested and charged.
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Ramsey said in a statement on Wednesday, January 24, “What happened to my client Chris Young at a bar in Nashville on Monday night was wrong and he never should have been arrested and charged in the first place.
"In light of the video evidence, Tennessee [Alcoholic Beverage Commission] needs to drop the charges and apologize for the physical, emotional, and professional harm done toward my client."
Chris Young was handcuffed and detained
According to the arrest affidavit, the incident occurred around 8.30 pm when "the agents from the Alcoholic Beverage Commission were completing a compliance check at Tin Roof when they encountered the singer sitting at the bar.”
A they entered and checked the identification, Young and some friends followed them to the DawgHouse Saloon and is believed he asked questions before making a video on his camera.
The agent, according to the affidivit, stated, “While walking out the door Young put his hands out to stop me from leaving the bar and struck me on the shoulder."
The agent said pushed Young back to "create distance" and other bar patrons got involved.
Young was then handcuffed by two officers and detained after he "refused to comply" with the officers while his associates continued to make the "situation hostile."
The affidavit also said that Young had bloodshot watery eyes and blurred speech.
