Actor Columbus Short has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of aggravated battery relating to a bloody bar brawl in Los Angeles in March (14).

The former Scandal star pleaded his innocence during an arraignment hearing in a California court on Thursday (15May14), when he denied knocking out a fellow reveller at Gabe's Bar and Grill while attending an engagement party. The man was said to have been rendered unconscious for a few minutes and required medical attention for a broken nose.

Short had reportedly been in talks to settle the case out of court, but the financial deal fell apart following his exit from the hit political drama last month (Apr14), amid his mounting legal woes, according to Tmz.com.

The actor, who is currently free on bail, faces up to four years behind bars if convicted of the charge.

Short is also embroiled in a legal battle with his estranged wife, Tanee MCCall-Short, who has accused him of threatening her life during a recent argument and attempting to break into their marital home, from which he has been barred.

She filed to end their eight-year marriage in September (13).