Nico Johnson found not guilty of harrasment charge

Andalusia two-sport standout and Alabama football signee Nico Johnson was found not guilty of a misdemeanor harassment charge by Andalusia Municipal Court Judge Mike Jones Wednesday, according to a case action summary released by the court.

Jones ruled a day after Johnson’s case went to court Tuesday. The charge stemmed from claims in a complaint of an incident in Andalusia on Sunday, May 3.

The complaint, filed by Sherman Denson and Ruby Daniels Couch of Andalusia and given to the Dothan Eagle Wednesday by court officials, claimed Johnson “pushed him (Denson) down” and “hit him” during an incident on Simmons Street in Andalusia around 8:30 that night.

Judge Jones ruled differently Wednesday.

“I’m glad this matter is over,” Johnson said in a statement released to the media. “It was just a misunderstanding.

“I want to thank God for all of his blessings and I want to thank my family for their support. Also, I appreciate Mr. John Jones for representing me. He made sure the judge heard the full story.

“I can’t wait to report to the University of Alabama on Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing my new teammates and coaches. Playing for the University of Alabama is something I have always dreamed of and I am ready to get started to go to work.”

John Jones, Johnson’s attorney and no relation to Judge Jones, said he believes the facts warranted the outcome.

“I believe the judge, after listening to both sides, issued a ruling that was consistent with the facts presented,” Jones said. “All of us benefit when justice prevails. It is easy to file a complaint in Municipal Court. The only effective recourse is a fair trial.

“We received a fair trial.”

Jones added, “We proved nothing (physical) happened.

We had a witness who is a friend of Nico’s and the complainant’s say that Nico never touched him. We also had another witness who said the complainant told him on three other occasions that Nico never touched him.”

Prosecutor Patrick McCalman, in an interview with the Dothan Eagle, said “I fully respect the judge’s ruling and understand his decision.”
By law, the complainant has no appeal and the criminal case is closed.

According to the complaint, Denson was on Simmons Street when Johnson and Keonta Freeney came up and got out of their car and that Johnson “pushed him down and then hit him in the left ear with his open hand.”

The complaint notes there was “no visible mark on Sherman.”

Johnson turned himself in two days later after a misdemeanor harassment charge was issued by the local court magistrate following a complaint. He posted a $500 bond, according to court records.

Johnson entered a not guilty plea and waived his arraignment to help speed up the process.

An initial court date was set for May 18, but postponed to Tuesday after the prosecutor was granted a continuance after the complainant didn’t show.

The complainant did show on Tuesday and the trial lasted about 45 minutes to an hour. Both the complainant and Johnson took the stand along with several witnesses. All were questioned by McCalman and Johnson’s attorney.

Johnson was a four-year standout in football and basketball at Andalusia. A 6-foot-3, 235-pounder, he starred at linebacker in football and as a forward-center in basketball. He signed to play football at Alabama this past winter.

Johnson was a three-time all-state selection in both football and basketball and was honorable mention all-state football as a freshman.
This past year, he earned first-team all-state in both sports from the Alabama Sports Writers Association and was one of three finalists for Class 4A state player of the year honors in basketball.

In football, he finished with 110 tackles — 11.0 a game — with two sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt. In basketball, he averaged 20.1 points, 16.3 rebounds and 4.1 blocks a game this past season, helping the Bulldogs finish 26-3 and reach the Class 4A state Final Four in Birmingham.

For his career, Johnson made 425 tackles in football from his freshman to senior seasons, including 12 quarterback sacks, while causing 10 fumbles and recovering eight fumbles. He also blocked four punts and a PAT attempt.

In basketball, Johnson finished his Andalusia career with 18.7 points, 15.4 rebounds and 4.0 blocks a game. He was a four-year captain, the first ever in Richard Robertson’s 34-year coaching career at AHS.