Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images(CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.) — A potential trial date was set Thursday for the University of Virginia student who was left bloodied after being arrested outside of a Charlottesville bar, but the charges against him could still be dropped.
Honors student Martese Johnson was arrested by state Alcoholic Beverage Control agents outside a bar near campus on March 18 and the incident sparked protests over police brutality.
In late March, Johnson was expected to enter a not-guilty plea but did not because the prosecution asked for a continuance in the case.
Johnson was charged with public intoxication and obstructing justice.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney Office has until June 12 to determine if they will drop the charges or not. If the charges are not dropped, the trial date has been set for Sept. 30.
“We are optimistic that once the investigation has been included, the prosecution will agree that the ABC officers did not have reasonable suspicion to apprehend and arrest Martese and that the charges will be dismissed,” Johnson’s attorney’s office said in a statement.
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