The footballer formerly known as Chad Ochocinco is scheduled to appear in court in an upcoming hearing on October 31.
- Sep 14, 2012
AceShowbiz - Chad Ochocinco claimed innocence to Judge Ian Richards in the head-butting incident with his wife Evelyn Lozada. The written plea of not guilty was entered by his attorney Adam B. Swickle in Broward County court in Florida on September 13.
Ochocinco, who changed his name back to Chad Johnson after marrying Lozada on fourth of July, is charged with first-degree misdemeanor domestic battery. If convicted, the former member of Miami Dolphins can face a maximum of one year in prison.
The football player was not present during the Thursday arraignment, but he is expected to be in courtroom on October 31. "I wish all of you would come to court with me this morning... damn butterflies...," he tweeted to his followers that day.
In addition to facing jail time, Ochocinco was served with divorce papers by Lozada. He was previously reluctant to comply with her request, but finally agreed by filing for his own papers of marriage dissolution. According to TMZ, he admitted their union was "irretrievably broken" and claimed they agreed in a prenup to pay their own legal fees if they split.
