WASHINGTON —聽 A University of Virginia student, whose bloody arrest on March 17 by state Alcohol Beverage Control agents (ABC) sparked public outcry and a聽police investigation wants the charges against him thrown out.
Images of Martese Johnson’s bloodied face went viral as he was聽was slammed to the ground after pulling away from one of the officers who grabbed his elbow. The 20-year-old African-American honor student who was聽arrested near a popular campus hangout was charged with public intoxication and obstruction of justice.
In a crowded courtroom聽filled with supporters,聽Johnson made his first court appearance on Thursday.聽The case was continued until May 28, 2015. 聽But聽Johnson’s attorney says Johnson聽wasn’t drunk聽and that the officers聽 for the arrest.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe ordered the investigation along with changes in training for ABC agents who have聽had.
