Accused Oscar Thief Pleads Not Guilty

3/7/2018 4:46 PM PST

Breaking News

The man accused of stealing Frances McDormand[1]'s Oscar is looking way rougher around the edges than he did on Oscar night -- he made his first court appearance Wednesday, pleading not guilty.

Terry Bryant went from tux to jumpsuit for his arraignment on a charge of felony grand theft. As we reported, Bryant was arrested for swiping[2] McDormand's award at the Governors Ball.

Bryant and his attorney, Daniel Brookman, might have an uphill battle in this case. He not only posted his own video kissing Oscar[3] Sunday night, but was also caught leaving the ballroom with the statuette in hand as he posed for cameras[4].  

Frances said she didn't want to press charges, but she has no say in the matter. The Academy is technically the victim[5], and they've asked for the case to move forward.

Bryant was released without bail after the arraignment, even though prosecutors said he has a repeated burglary history. He's due back in court later this month. Fair to say, his spiritual adviser's got a lot of praying[6] to do.

References^ Frances McDormand (www.tmz.com)^ arrested for swiping (www.tmz.com)^ kissing Oscar (www.tmz.com)^ posed for cameras (www.tmz.com)^ technically the victim (www.tmz.com)^ got a lot of praying (www.tmz.com)

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