[Above video is an interview with Khali, filmed by another Occupy Oakland member before the arrest.]
Via:
An Occupy Oakland protester pleaded not guilty on Monday to assaulting a peace officer and had a date set to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with a trial.
Marcel "Khali" Johnson, 38, was originally arrested Dec. 16 in Oakland during a police raid and four days later was charged with assaulting an officer at Santa Rita County Jail where he was being held.
Dressed in red county jump, Johnson pleaded not guilty and spoke briefly during his three-minute court hearing. A pretrial date was set for 9 a.m. Feb. 6 at the California Courthouse in Pleasanton.
Just over three dozen Occupy Oakland, many wearing red, were at the courthouse to support Johnson. Nearly half of the supporters were told they had to wait outside the courtroom because of a lack of seating.
Khali is still being held in lieu of $580,000 bond, and faces life in prison if convicted of this charge under the "Three Strikes" law.
