LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Popular “SuperChef” and former Louisville restaurant owner Darnell Ferguson pleaded not guilty Wednesday, and a judge reduced his bail from $20,000 to $10,000 on robbery and strangulation charges.
Ferguson’s attorney, Krishna Tibbs, told the judge that the alleged victim and her attorney agreed to lower bail in part because they have three children and Ferguson needed help taking care of them.
Additionally, Tibbs also told the judge that the alleged victim recanted the allegation that he choked her. Tibbs said he spoke with the alleged victim’s attorney, Kelsey Hall.
Tibbs later told a WDRB News reporter that the woman did not want to move forward with any criminal prosecution of Ferguson.
“She thinks they can solve everything and wants the charges dropped,” Tibbs said in an interview.
Hall, who represents the alleged victim in the family court case with Ferguson, declined to discuss the criminal case.
Ferguson posted $10,000 and was released, according to court records.
A prosecutor with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office argued that Tibbs’ $5,000 bond request was too low given the seriousness of the charges, including that the alleged victim had been strangled and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.
Assistant Jefferson County Prosecutor Christine Southard asked for Ferguson’s bail to be raised from $20,000 to $50,000, saying, “We have concerns that there are allegations that he said he was going to kill her,” according to a video of the hearing.
Ferguson was arrested Tuesday on seven different charges, including robbery, strangulation, assault, terroristic threatening and menacing.
Ferguson was arrested Tuesday on seven different charges, including robbery, strangulation, assault, terroristic threatening and menacing.
A Jan. 2 police affidavit alleges that Ferguson screamed at the woman, punched walls, grabbed her by the neck with both hands, choked her and threatened to kill her.
The alleged victim claimed that she had difficulty breathing and lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, the woman said Ferguson tore off her clothes and told her “they were his and no one else’s,” according to the report.
Police also have photos of the redness and scratches.
The St. Matthews police report also accuses Ferguson of taking her identification and credit cards.
The couple is separated, and a protective order has been filed against Ferguson, Southard said. She added that it is not unusual for a victim of domestic violence to decide not to pursue charges.
“They may think they want reconciliation but… these are very serious allegations and we have concerns,” Southard said. “Backling and belittling these things are all parts of the cycle of domestic violence.”
If he is released, Southard asked the judge to place Ferguson on home detention. Ferguson has television appearances scheduled out of state, Tibbs said.
After notifying both sides that she watches Ferguson’s TV show and that she had been to his restaurant several times — giving them an opportunity to ask her to recuse herself from the case — Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Anne Delahanty said she would handle the case like others with the same case charged and set bond at $10,000.
Ferguson is not allowed to have any contact with the alleged victim. The next court hearing is scheduled for January 18.
Delahanty did not include a home imprisonment requirement.
Ferguson is known nationally through numerous television shows, including being the host of Food Network’s “SuperChef Grudge Match.” He also participated in several other programs for the network, including “Tournament of Champions.”
At one time, he owned several restaurants in Louisville, including SuperChefs, which closed in July 2022. He also gives back through his non-profit charities and others.
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