McGraw and Chesney found innocent

Country crooner Tim McGraw was acquitted of assault charges Wednesday stemming from a June 3 incident at the George Strait Country Music Festival, The Associated Press reported. McGraw and fellow singer Kenny Chesney were arrested after police reportedly tried to pull Chesney off a police horse he was riding backstage. McGraw rushed to his defense and was accused of attacking the deputies. According to The Associated Press, Chesney claims he was never given a chance to explain to the officers that he had permission to ride the horse, calling it “an innocent, fun gesture.” Chesney, who was charged with a misdemeanor, also was found innocent for his role in the melee, along with Mark Russo, McGraw’s manager. While defense attorney Thomas Eoannou referred to the long-awaited trial as a joke, the prosecutor in the case charged that McGraw used his star status to intervene with official police business. McGraw, his wife, country sensation Faith Hill, and Chesney signed autographs for fans waiting outside the packed courtroom in Buffalo, N.Y. McGraw’s latest album, Set This Circus Down, currently is No. 1 on Billboard’s country album charts.