Black UVA Student Whose Bloody Arrest Sparked National Uproar Seeks Dismissal

Martese Johnson, left, walks into Charlottesville General District Court with his lawyer Daniel Watkins, right, for his hearing on misdemeanor charges on Thursday, March 26, 2015 in Charlottesville, Va. Johnson's cas... Martese Johnson, left, walks into Charlottesville General District Court with his lawyer Daniel Watkins, right, for his hearing on misdemeanor charges on Thursday, March 26, 2015 in Charlottesville, Va. Johnson's case was continued until state police complete an investigation into his arrest March 18 outside a Charlottesville bar. The 20-year-old Chicago man is charged with public intoxication and obstruction of justice. Johnson's arrest March 18 has drawn wide attention because images of him with a bloody face spread quickly on social media. (AP Photo/The Daily Progress, Andrew Shurtleff) MORE LESS
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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.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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