Johnson acquitted of charge

The jury deliberated for just 22 minutes in finding Johnson not guilty of a simple assault charge stemming from a July 31 arrest after an off-duty Putnam County sheriff's deputy alleged that Johnson pointed a toy gun at him while both were driving east on Interstate 40 near Cookeville.

"Certainly we're pleased for Marsalous," said Johnson's attorney, Jack O. Bellar. "It vindicates him 100 percent.

"He hadn't done anything wrong. He hadn't displayed any kind of a toy gun or anything else. I think the jury certainly believed him."

Johnson testified in his own defense Friday in judge Leon Burns' courtroom. So did linebacker Rico McCoy, who was a passenger in the vehicle.

McCoy was not charged in the incident.

Bellar, who was assisted by his son, Branden Bellar, said that Johnson's testimony was the most important part of the case.

Mike Hoover, the sheriff's deputy who made the allegations against Johnson, and Chad York of the Monterrey Police Department testified for the prosecution.

In November, a Putnam County grand jury failed to indict Johnson on a felony charge of aggravated assault.

"I never felt he should be charged," Bellar said. "He didn't think he should be charged. We just had to get a jury trial to get this straightened out."

Johnson, a Smyrna native who turns 21 next month, served a four-game suspension last fall, and saw his first action of the season in a 51-33 victory at Georgia.

"I am really happy for Marsalous and his family," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said in a statement. "They have been through a lot of heartache and emotion through all of this.

"I am certain he has learned a great life lesson. I may have been hard on him, but at the time I felt it was the right thing to do."

Johnson earned the Andy Spiva Award as UT's most improved defender in spring practice.

Bellar said Friday's verdict is a huge weight lifted from Johnson and his family.

"He and his parents were pleased," Bellar said. "It's been a burden on him. They're all good people, and they certainly feel vindicated."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.