The University of Virginia student who was left covered in blood following his arrested by state alcohol regulators has made his first appearance in court . Martese Johnson , 20 was supported by almost 100 classmates as he arrived at the Charlottesville General District Court on Thursday . They were all dressed in black as a show of unity . His case was continued until state police complete an investigation into the arrest on March 18 outside an off-campus bar which has since caused widespread controversy . Scroll down for videos . University of Virginia student Martese Johnson , 20 , arrives at the Charlottesville General District Court on Thursday for a hearing following his controversial arrest last week . His attorney Daniel Watkins ( right ) walks with his arm around his shoulder as they arrive . Nearly 100 classmates , all dressed in black , supported Johnson as he arrived in court . The student , originally from Chicago , is charged with public intoxication and obstruction of justice . Johnson 's arrest has drawn wide attention because images of him with a bloody face spread quickly on social media . He needed 10 stitches to close a gash on his head after last Wednesday 's scuffle . He has accused Alcoholic Beverage Control officers of racism . Johnson is African-American . Supporters in Charlottesville General District Court were dressed in black in a show of unity . The case was continued until May 28 . Watkins made a brief statement to the media outside the courthouse after the hearing . The case has been continued as state police continued to investigate the March 18 arrest . Johnson is due back in court on May 18 . He faces charges of public intoxication and obstruction of justice . A video showing Johnson bleeding from his head while being held down by an officer in Charlottesville was shared widely online last week and provoked accusations of police brutality . Johnson , a junior at the university , said through his attorney after the incident that he was 'shocked that my face was slammed into the brick pavement three blocks from where I attend school ' and would fight the charges . ' I trust that the scars on my face and head will heal but the trauma from what the Alcoholic Beverage Control officers did will stay with me forever , ' his lawyer Daniel Watkins said . The legal drinking age in Virginia is 21 years old and Johnson said that he was not intoxicated at the time . His lawyer has said he was simply standing on the sidewalk when officers approached him . A video showing Johnson bleeding from his head while being held down by an officer in Charlottesville was shared widely online last week and provoked accusations of police brutality . Hundreds of students joined in protests on the Charlottesville campus in the aftermath of the arrest .
Martese Johnson had first hearing at Charlottesville General District Court . Was surrounded by nearly 100 classmates all dressed in black . The judge said he would not allow the students to be released until they could prove their innocence, but that if they were found guilty of a hate crime or other crimes against people based on race He contends that he was not drunk at the time and did not show a fake ID . A video showing him being held down by cops sparked accusations of police brutality .