Martese Johnson is finally speaking out about his arrest at the University of Virginia, which resulted in him being badly beaten outside of a Charlottesville bar.
The 20-year-old was charged with public intoxication and obstruction of justice after agents of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control arrested him; he is accused of using a fake I.D. card at the time. The altercation turned physical, leaving Martese with bloody head wounds that required ten stitches.
Johnson attended a press conference earlier today, during which his lawyer spoke on his behalf about the “shocking” arrest.
His lawyer said in the conference Martese was “shocked that my face was slammed into the brick pavement three blocks from where I attend school.”
The attorney continued:
“I trust that the scars on my face and head will heal but the trauma from what the ABC officers did will stay with me forever.”
He also refuted the claims that Johnson presented a fake I.D. to authorities during the arrest, stating:
“At no point during the encounter … did Martese present a fake ID.”
The attorney also stated on his behalf:
“I still believe in our community. I know this community will support me during this time.”
This press conference comes in the wake of UVA students protesting for justice over the arrest during the past two days. Johnson also plans on fighting the charges against him.
Watch the full press conference statement from Martese and his attorney here.
SOURCE: SnappyTV | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
Martese Johnson Speaks Out On Arrest & Beating, Vows To Fight Charges Against Him was originally published on globalgrind.com
