Los Angeles - Columbus Short won't be returning to Scandal following legal troubles.
The 31-year-old actor says in a statement released on Friday he's exiting the ABC political thriller after three seasons.
The announcement comes after Short was arrested last month on a felony charge that he injured a man during an altercation at a restaurant in March.
Short was also charged on 14 February with misdemeanour spousal battery and has pleaded not guilty in that case. A judge ordered him to stay away from his wife at a 5 March court hearing. Records show she filed for divorce last year but dismissed her petition earlier this year.
Short plays attorney Harrison Wright on the hit series created by Shonda Rhimes and starring Kerry Washington. His character was seen in jeopardy in the season finale.