Wesley Snipes Pleads Not Guilty

Wesley Snipes had his first day in court on Friday, according to People. He appeared to plead not guilty to tax fraud, then held a press conference, of course. After the press conference, Snipes got on a private plane and headed back to Namibia to continue filming the movie Gallowwalker and he is also teaching filmmaking to locals. When he gets back, he will surrender his passport in anticipation of the trial, which is set to start on March 5.

Here's what he said at the press conference"

"I want to thank all my fans," a smiling Snipes, dressed in a dark suit, blue shirt and tie and sunglasses, said at the press conference. "I want to thank my family who stand behind me. And to my foes, thank you, too. I am not guilty, and I look forward to clearing my name. I want the truth to come out."

And of course, we have to hear from the lawyers:

"Mr. Snipes has been the victim of unscrupulous tax advisors," said another attorney, Billy Martin. "We look forward to his vindication when the facts come out. He has entered a plea of not guilty, and looks forward to proving his innocence in court. We will prove this in court, and not in the court of public opinion."

Photo from People.