Images of University of Virginia honor student Martese Johnson’s bloody face went viral shortly after his encounter with Alcoholic Beverage Control officers outside a Charlottesville, Va., bar March 18.
Johnson’s arrest and disturbing images of him lying prone on the ground made national news, and on Thursday the 20-year-old Chicago native made his first court appearance to fight charges of public intoxication and obstruction of justice.
According to CBS News, nearly 100 supporters dressed in black were present at the Charlottesville General District Court as “Johnson’s case was continued until state police complete an investigation into his arrest.”
Gov. Terry McAuliffe has ordered a state police investigation of the incident, which caused public outcry after Johnson reportedly tried to use an expired license to gain entry to a bar. According to several witnesses, Johnson was denied entry and began leaving when the ABC officers approached him. A struggle ensued and Johnson was left with several scars across the top of his head.
The governor also “signed an executive order Wednesday requiring more training for ABC agents. The training would include lessons in cultural diversity,” according to CBS News, which notes that the case was continued until May 28.
Read more at CBS News.