The attorney representing former Florida State quarterback De'Andre Johnson on a battery charge after he allegedly struck a woman at a Tallahassee, Fla., bar added a new layer of controversy to the story Tuesday.
According to attorney Jose Baez, the woman shouted racial epithets at Johnson when the incident began on June 24.
"There is a witness that heard this, and that did not invoke Mr. Johnson to do anything. He then tried to de-escalate the situation. It wasn't until she struck him twice before he reacted," Baez told NBC news.
Johnson was indefinitely suspended by the school on June 25. He was initially charged with felony battery, but the charge was reduced to misdemeanor battery when a notice-to-appear warrant was issued to Johnson on June 30. The state attorney's office on Monday released security video from Yianni's bar that showed the altercation. FSU officials and coach Jimbo Fisher reportedly said they did not see the security video until its public release. Fisher dismissed Johnson from the Seminoles program Monday night, after the video became public.
Baez also told NBC that Johnson is "owning this" and said that his dismissal from the FSU football team is "unfortunate."
"It wasn't until she struck him twice that he reacted," Baez said. "But he is very ... he is very regretful that he didn't turn around and walk away immediately. ... He makes no excuses for what happened."
Baez is a prominent attorney who defended Casey Anthony in a Florida murder case that drew national attention in 2011.
Johnson was among several candidates vying to replace former FSU star Jameis Winston, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, as the Seminoles' starting quarterback. He enrolled as a freshman in January and competed in spring practice.
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