Former University football player Nate Johnson pled not guilty to a charge of domestic violence at a pre-trial hearing Wednesday morning.
Johnson switched his legal representation to Doug Lewis of Student Legal Services shortly before the hearing. Ann Arbor District Judge Elizabeth Hines granted Johnson an adjournment to confer with his new counsel.
Johnson, a sophomore, was arrested Oct. 1 by the University’s Division of Public Safety and Security for charges of domestic violence. DPSS spokeswoman Diane Brown said a housing security officer found a female student outside South Quad Residence Hall who reported the crime, and named Johnson as her assaulter. Johnson was removed from the Univesity football team the next week.
Johnson was then released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond — conditions of which include Johnson must only be on campus for class and other official University activities. The misdemeanor charge of domestic violence is punishable with a $500 fine or up to 93 days in jail.
Johnson’s trial is scheduled on Oct. 25 at 9 a.m.