Columbus Short pleads not guilty to battery in restaurant brawl

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Former "Scandal" actor Columbus Short plead not guilty to felony battery charges in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday.

Short, 31, is accused of punching a man, knocking him unconscious and fracturing his left eye socket during a fight at a West Hollywood restaurant on March 15.

The actor's attorney Jeff Jacquet had sought to fast track the case, but Deputy District Attorney David Schorr said the injuries involved were too serious to qualify.

He was ordered to return to court on June 5. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.

The actor is also facing misdemeanor spousal battery charges in a separate case. Tanee Short claims her husband threatened her with a knife during a fight in April. She has since filed for divorce.

Short announced last month he would not be returning to the hit ABC series "Scandal." His movie credits include "Stomp The Yard," "The Losers" and "Accepted."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.