Sheen domestic violence trial set for July 21

3/15/2010 04:13:46 PM

DENVER, Colorado – Actor Charlie Sheen pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of domestic violence and was ordered to stand trial July 21 during a brief court appearance in an Aspen, Colorado, court.

Sheen, 44, was arrested Christmas Day in the glitzy, celebrity-rich mountain community on charges he threatened his wife, Brooke Mueller, with a knife during an argument at the home Mueller had rented for the holidays. He was later released on bond.

Sheen, who was charged under his legal name, Carlos Estevez, did not speak during the hearing before 9th Judicial District Judge James Boyd, but entered his pleas through his attorneys.

Boyd has scheduled three days beginning July 21 to hear the one felony and two misdemeanor charges filed against Sheen, who faces a felony charge of menacing and two misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and third degree assault.

He has been represented by Aspen attorney Richard Cummins, although Los Angeles attorney Steve Cochran has now been brought in to handle the case.

Cochran is not licensed to practice in Colorado, but is being sponsored by Cummins and will file paperwork to be permitted to participate in the case unless the Colorado Supreme Court objects, said Rob McCallum, spokesman for the State Court Administrator's Office.

Both Sheen and Mueller have been in rehab in recent weeks. Earlier, Sheen was ordered to attend anger management counseling.

He is expected on Tuesday to return to work on the CBS TV series "Two and a Half Men."