By David in TN
“A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams pleaded innocent Monday to aggravated rape charges in Criminal Court.” [Knoxville News Sentinel teaser; paid subscription required to read any more.]
As previously reported, the arraignment came [Monday]. By the way, a defendant does not plead "Innocent," they plead "Not Guilty."
Recognize Johnson’s attorneys? And the courtroom?
Attorneys: Stephen Johnson
Tom Dillard
David Eldridge
N.S. Yeah, they all defended some of the Knoxville Horror rapist-killers, and the courtroom is where several (all?) of the state trials took place, including George Thomas’ 2013 re-trial, which we attended, and in which Thomas was defended by Johnson and Dillard.
In Knox County, black cut-throats get the world’s best legal help, all at white taxpayer expense! I’ve seen these guys at work—they’re as good as it gets.
By the way, has anyone ever heard of a black college sports star raping a black coed? Me, neither.
Ex-Vols plead not guilty to aggravated rape charges
By [Anonymous] WBIR Staff
6:43 p.m. EDT March 9, 2015
WBIR
Ex-Vols A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams pleaded not guilty Monday to two charges each of aggravated rape in Knox County Criminal County.
It was their first court appearance since a grand jury returned the indictments last month.
The charges stem from a Nov. 16 incident at Johnson's South Knoxville apartment where a 19-year-old University of Tennessee student said the two man forcibly raped her after the Kentucky game. A second 19-year-old from Florida told authorities that Williams also sexually assaulted her, but no charge has emerged from that accusation.
Former UT linebacker A.J. Johnson and ex-teammate Michael Williams indicted on rape charges (Photo: KCSO)
Judge Bob McGee presided over the hearing, which only took minutes. Neither man commented to the media after the hearing. Williams' attorney David Eldridge said little: "He's innocent, and we'll continue to fight it in court."
Tom Dillard, who represents Johnson, only said, "We pleaded not guilty."
McGee set an Aug. 24 trail date and told attorneys that they have until July 20 to file any motions in the case. Trial settings usually end up being pushed back.
Attorneys for both former Tennessee football players have steadfastly maintained that their clients have fully cooperated with the investigation and have done nothing wrong.
Johnson, 23, and Williams, 22, turned themselves over to authorities last month after a grand jury indicted them on rape charges. Johnson graduated from UT in December and was an almost certain selection in the NFL draft. The NFL withdrew Johnson's invitation to the spring combine after his indictment became public.
Williams is enrolled at the university for spring semester, but remains suspended indefinitely from the football team.
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