James Cromwell Enters Plea In Disorderly Conduct Case

James Cromwell has entered a plea of no contest in a recent disorderly conduct case.

The actor was arrested after causing a scene at the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. Cromwell was protesting cat experiments performed at the school. He was charged with disorderly conduct.

Attorney Marcus Jens Berghahn entered the contest plea on James Cromwell’s behalf on Monday. The actor will be required to pay $263 in fines.

Berghahn also entered a plea of contest for PETA spokesman 27-year-old Jeremy Beckham. The man joined James Cromwell in his protest at the University of Wisconsin on February 7.

Both men showed up at the school with large pictures showing a cat with a metal plate implanted in its head. They disrupted the meeting by shouting about how the lab was mistreating and abusing the felines.

Prosecutors explained that James Cromwell was given a break because the duration of his protest wasn’t that long. Since the actor’s demonstration didn’t harm anyone, the actor was given a slap on the wrist.

PETA claims that the University of Wisconsin is known to starve and abuse lab animals. The organizations accused the school of deafening and decapitating the felines in an effort to study hearing problems.

The UW–Madison Research Animal Resources Center issued a statement on the matter shortly after James Cromwell’s demonstration. The group explained:

“Today’s events are just another attempt by outside activists to draw attention to a cause. They have attacked and distorted this research — which has very real benefits for people who are deaf — from every angle imaginable. Exhaustive independent investigation by the USDA, which regulates the use of animals in research, concluded that PETA’s allegations are baseless.”

In a video posted by the animal rights organization, the actor can be heard yelling: “This is not science. This is cruel!”

James Cromwell is best known for his roles in The Green Mile, L.A. Confidential, and the family movie Babe. He most recently appeared in the second season of the hit television series American Horror Story.

Are you a fan of James Cromwell? What do you think about the actor entering a plea of no contest?

[Top Image via DFree / Shutterstock.com – Terry Straehley / Shutterstock.com]