( CNN ) -- Former `` Scandal '' actor Columbus Short has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of battery , according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Superior Court . The actor was arrested in March after being accused of punching and knocking out a patron at a West Los Angeles restaurant . Short appeared in court on Wednesday and must appear again on June 5 so a preliminary hearing date can be set . The actor has had other allegations of violence lodged against him . In April , Short 's wife accused him of threatening to kill her and himself with a knife . Tanee Short filed for both a restraining order , to keep him from her and their two-year-old daughter , and for a divorce to end their nine-year marriage . Shortly thereafter , Columbus Short announced he would not be returning to the hit ABC series `` Scandal . '' CNN 's Joan Yeam contributed to this report .
Short is accused of punching and knocking out a restaurant patron . His wife accused him of threatening her . He is set to appear in court again on June 5 .