UT Rape Suspects to be Given Separate Trials

A former University of Tennessee football player charged with rape will be tried separately from his suspended ex-teammate.

Stephen Ross Johnson, an attorney for former linebacker A.J. Johnson, told The Tennessean on Tuesday that his client will have a separate trial from Michael Williams later this year.

A.J. Johnson is now scheduled for a Sept. 29 trial, court records show. Williams, a defensive back, still has the Aug. 24 trial date originally scheduled for the pair, according to court records.

Johnson and Williams were indicted on two counts each of aggravated rape in February after being named as suspects in an investigation into a November 2014 incident. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Lawyers representing Johnson filed a motion in May, asking to sever the trials of the two defendants.

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Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com

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