Charges against UVA student Martese Johnson dropped

CHICAGO (WLS) -- 20-year old Kenwood Academy graduate Martese Johnson was tackled, gashed-up and bloodied by police during an underage liquor sweep near the University of Virginia campus where he is a student. Thursday night, court records reveal that authorities are dropping the criminal charges against him. Johnson will appear in a Charlotesville, Va. courtroom first thing Friday morning, for the case against him to be terminated.

The video of the police takedown swept social media and thrust Johnson into the national dialogue on police race relations.

Johnson was slammed to ground by uniformed Alcoholic Beverage Control officers after he was refused entry to a bar during St. Patrick's Day festivities.

The arresting officers said in their report that Johnson "was very agitated and belligerent." He was charged with obstruction of justice without force and public swearing or intoxication.

"Martese is a member of the UVA honor committee and has no criminal record whatsoever," his lawyer, Daniel Watkins, said on March 19. "Martese worked hard to ensure his bright future and we intend to fight the criminal charges against him with the utmost vigor."

The police action drew immediate criticism and protests and the attention of Virginia's governor, who launched an independent investigation of the officers' use of force.

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Thursday night, state attorneys say the interest of justice and the long term interest of the Charlottesville community are best served by using this case to engage constructive dialogue concerning police and citizen relationships in a diverse community.

Authorities say they decided not to prosecute after reviewing the state police criminal investigation of Johnson. But they will also not be filing charges against the state Alcoholic Beverage Control officers who were involved in Johnson's arrest.

Johnson tells the I-Team that he will speak about this ordeal Friday after his court appearance in Virginia. For now, on his twitter account, Johnson tells friends that he appreciates their support though what he says has been a crazy time.