Judge to hear motions in rape cases involving ex-Vols

KNOXVILLE — A motions hearing will be held here Thursday as rape cases involving two former University of Tennessee football players move toward trial.

Knox County Judge Bob McGee could issue rulings on any of the many motions that have been filed by Thursday's deadline, which McGee set at arraignment in March. A.J. Johnson, a linebacker, and Michael Williams, a defensive back, entered not guilty pleas at that time. They are accused of raping a then-19-year-old female, formerly a Tennessee student-athlete, at a party at Johnson's off-campus apartment in November 2014.

One of the less contentious filings has already been ruled upon. Attorney Stephen Ross Johnson requested that A.J. Johnson, his client, be severed from Williams, meaning that they will be tried separately. Williams, Stephen Ross Johnson alleged, made out-of-court statements referencing his former teammate.

The court granted the motion and set a trial date of Aug. 24 for Williams and Sept. 29 for Johnson.

Other motions, though, might be heard and settled Thursday. One such filing, submitted by Stephen Ross Johnson, alludes to the high-profile rape case involving two former Vanderbilt University football players.

"As demonstrated by the grant of a new trial in a recent case involving allegations of rape against Vanderbilt University football players, sometimes oral voir dire alone isn't sufficient or effective in conducting jury selection," Stephen Ross Johnson argued, referencing the verbal question-and-answer format that was utilized in impaneling a jury in that case's original trial.

In that case, an issue of juror bias led Judge Monte Watkins to declare a mistrial.

Instead of an oral jury selection, Stephen Ross Johnson has requested a written questionnaire that he wrote would provide "the most effective and efficient means of eliciting candid and honest responses" from potential jurors.

A separate filing submitted by Stephen Ross Johnson asks for a dismissal of the charges against A.J. Johnson, citing a lack of evidence presented to the grand jury that could have exonerated him. The motion does not reveal what that evidence would have been.

Another motion filed by Stephen Ross Johnson could alter the language used in his client's trial this fall. The motion includes a request to refer to the alleged victim by her name or as the accuser or complainant, "rather than as the 'victim,' " the motion reads.

David Eldridge, an attorney for Williams, filed several motions of his own, including one that requests that a polygraph test administered to Williams be admitted as evidence in his trial next month.

Both attorneys have maintained their clients' innocence.

Reach Matt Slovin at mslovin@tennessean.com and on Twitter @MattSlovin.