U. of Virginia student Martese Johnson to plead not guilty: attorney

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The attorney for Martese Johnson, a University of Virginia student, says his client will plead not guilty this week to charges stemming from his highly publicized arrest last week outside a Charlottesville bar.

Johnson, 20, was charged with obstruction of justice without force and public intoxication or swearing after his arrest Wednesday. The Chicago resident will enter his not guilty plea at a scheduled court appearance Thursday in Charlottesville, according to a statement issued Monday by his attorney, Daniel Watkins.

Johnson was arrested by Alcoholic Beverage Control officers after he was denied entrance to a bar. Photos and video of the arrest circulated widely on social media, showing Johnson with his face bloody as he’s pinned to the ground by an officer.