The attorney for Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson revealed that his alleged victim wishes to drop the criminal charges against him.
On Wednesday (Jan. 10), Darnell Ferguson, celebrity “SuperChef” known for his appearances on Food Network and former owner of a Louisville restaurant, entered a plea of not guilty.
A judge subsequently reduced his bond from $20,000 to $10,000 in light of the burglary and strangulation charges.
During the court proceedings, Darnell Ferguson’s attorney, Krsna Tibbs, informed the judge that the apparent victim, Kelsea Hall, and her legal representative concurred on the bond reduction. This mutual agreement was influenced by the fact that they jointly have three children, and Ferguson’s assistance is deemed necessary for their care.
Furthermore, Tibbs conveyed to the judge that the alleged victim had retracted the accusation of strangulation. He mentioned having discussions with the attorney representing Hall.
Ferguson’s Initial Arrest
On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 9, Darnell Ferguson was formally processed into the Louisville Metro jail, facing two felony charges of burglary and strangulation, according to a spokesperson from the correctional facility as reported by TMZ.
Furthermore, he was confronted with five misdemeanor charges, which included assault, menacing, criminal mischief, terroristic threatening, and receipt of stolen credit and debit cards.
RELATED: Food Network Host Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson Arrested In Kentucky
Before his arrest, Ferguson took part in three seasons of Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, a culinary competition that assembles elite chefs from around the world to compete against each other in various cooking challenges.
https://youtu.be/mzmjvJQzIRo?si=I4bCn1mZLLCCeGz3
Legal Developments Unfold: Alleged Victim Expresses Intent to Drop Charges, Bond Contention, and Serious Allegations Surface
In an interview with a WDRB News reporter, Tibbs elaborated that the woman expressing allegations against Ferguson has no intention of pursuing criminal charges. According to Tibbs, “She thinks they can work everything out and wants to drop the charges.”
Hall opted not to comment on the ongoing criminal case.
Darnell Ferguson has successfully posted the $10,000 bond and has been released, as indicated by court records.
During the hearing, an Assistant Jefferson County Attorney, Cristin Southard, contested Tibbs’s bond request of $5,000, deeming it excessively low given the gravity of the charges. This includes the assertion that Hall was strangled and required hospitalization.
Southard proposed an increase in Ferguson’s bond from $20,000 to $50,000, saying, “We have concerns that there are allegations he said he was going to kill her,” according to a video of the hearing.
According to a police citation dated January 2, Ferguson is accused of yelling at the woman, striking walls, and seizing her by the neck with both hands, engaging in strangulation while issuing threats of harm.
The purported victim asserted that she experienced difficulty breathing and ultimately lost consciousness during the incident.
Southard mentioned that the couple is estranged, and a protective order has been filed against Ferguson. She further noted that it is not uncommon for a victim of domestic violence to refrain from cooperating with the prosecution of a case.
“They may think they want to reconcile but…these are very serious allegations, and we have concerns,” Southard said. “Recantation, minimizing, those are all parts of the cycle of domestic violence.”
Judge Anne Delahanty ultimately decided to treat the case similarly to others with comparable charges and set the bond at $10,000.
As a condition, Ferguson is prohibited from having any contact with the alleged victim.
The next court hearing is scheduled for January 18.