Vikings reserve defensive tackle Tom Johnson was found not guilty today in Hennepin County court on misdemeanor charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer, Johnson's attorney said.
Vikings tackle Tom Johnson cleared of charges stemming from October arrest
June 12, 2015 at 9:12PM
Johnson's trial began Monday and caused him to miss the team's voluntary organized team activities throughout the week. His attorney, David Valentini, said it took the jury just 15 minutes to reach a verdict today.
"We're very happy," Valentini said. "He left immediately to go see his daughter down in New Orleans. He'll be back for minicamp on Monday. All along he steadfastly insisted he was innocent and he won his day in court."
Johnson was arrested Oct. 5 at 3:18 a.m. outside the Seven Steakhouse downtown. Police used chemical spray and a stun gun during the arrest.
The 30-year-old was briefly jailed and released later that day on $78 bond.
Johnson and his agent, Bardia Ghahremani, later claimed he was calm and cooperative and said that the police, acted inappropriately. They also released a video from Johnson's cellphone showing a uniformed officer slapping away the phone.
Ghahremani said Friday that Johnson plans to file a lawsuit against the Minneapolis Police Department, but won't do it until after the Vikings season ends. That means a suit would not be filed until early 2016.
"For me, I just feel like people in authority should be accountable," Johnson said before a Vikings practice three days after the incident. "If they do something negligent, they should be accountable just like anyone else."
Johnson played all 16 games in 2014 and recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks. The Vikings re-signed him in March to a three-year, $7 million contract.
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
