Ex-cheerleader pleads not guilty

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A former Carolina Panthers cheerleader pleaded not guilty to three charges after she and another cheerleader were arrested at a Tampa nightclub.
Renee Thomas, 20, and Angela Keathley, 26, were arrested Nov. 6 after an incident outside a bathroom at a bar, the night before the Panthers played at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thomas is charged with giving a false name to a police officer, battery and unlawful display of a license. The giving a false name charge is a felony; the other two charges are misdemeanors.
A circuit court clerk in Hillsborough County, Fla., said Friday that Thomas was not present at Thursday's hearing and entered a not guilty plea through her lawyer, Robert Warchola of Tampa. Her next court date was set for Feb. 15.
Warchola did not return calls seeking comment Friday.
The arrests made headlines because a police report said patrons waiting in line to use the bathroom were angry because they believed Thomas and Keathley were having sex in a stall.
Thomas has denied any sexual conduct and another witness has discounted the sex story, saying Thomas was drunk.
Melissa Holden, the alleged assault victim, has filed a lawsuit against Thomas.
Keathley has entered a written plea of not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.