American Idol

On Monday, former American Idol finalist Jessica Sierra pleaded not guilty to a felony battery charge brought upon her earlier this year.  The hearing was held at the Hillsborough County Court.

Circuit Judge William Fuente scheduled the 21-year-old singer’s next trial date for October.  John Fitzgibbons, Jessica Sierra’s attorney, said to The Tribune that he hoped the case would be resolved “amicably.”  He also said that his client has gotten a lot of support from her fans via phone calls and letters.

"Just thanking all my fans for being here to support me,” Jessica Sierra said to The Tribune.

In April, the American Idol season four finalist was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband into a detention facility.

The police claimed that Sierra was placed under arrest after she broke a cocktail glass over a man’s head at Hyde Park Café, where the young singer and her friends were partying.  The man, Wisam Hadad, suffered a three-quarter inch gash above his right eye.  Sierra attacked Hadad after mistaking him for another man who supposedly spit in her face.

Upon being booked at the Hillsborough County Jail, police found 0.8 grams of cocaine in her purse.  As a result, she was charged with possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband into a detention facility.

Aside from her trial in October, Sierra is also facing a pending lawsuit from Hadad.

This is not the only time that Sierra, the tenth-place finisher of the fourth American Idol, has gotten in trouble with the law.

Last week, a car rental agency in Tampa filed a report against her, claiming that she owed them at least $ 643.40 for keeping one of their rental cars 12 days past the due date.  When the report was filed with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Sierra returned the car and said that it was only a “misunderstanding.”


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: realitytvworld.com
(Image Courtesy of Fox)