Virginia Student Seeks Dismissal of Charges in Bloody Arrest
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — A University of Virginia student whose bloody arrest sparked a public uproar has asked a judge to dismiss the charges against him.
A motion filed in Charlottesville General District Court on behalf of Martese Johnson says state Alcohol Beverage Control Department officers didn't have reasonable suspicion to stop him outside a bar on March 18.
Johnson's arrest gained widespread attention with photos and videos on social media showing the 20-year-old from Chicago pinned on the ground by an ABC agent, his face bloodied. Johnson is black and has called the police racist.
Johnson's lawyer, Daniel P. Watkins, tells The Associated Press in an email that Johnson was slammed to the ground without just cause.
Johnson is charged with public intoxication and obstruction of justice without force.
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(Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
