Ex-NFLer Martin pleads not guilty to 4 felony charges stemming from IG post
Former NFL lineman Jonathan Martin surrendered in a California court on Tuesday and subsequently pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of making criminal threats and one count for possessing a loaded gun, according to ESPN.
The court hearing is scheduled for April 25 in Van Nuys, Calif. If found guilty, Martin could face up to six years in custody, according to Los Angeles County court records, per NFL.com.
The charges stem from disturbing images Martin posted on Instagram on Feb. 22 in which he tagged four people, including former Miami Dolphins teammates Richie Incognito and Mike Pouncey, with a shotgun, bullets, and a quoted that read: "When you're a bully victim and a coward, your options are suicide or revenge." Martin's former high school, Harvard Westlake, was also tagged in the photo and filed a restraining order on Martin after being forced to close for the day.
In 2013, as a member of the Dolphins, it was revealed Martin dealt with vicious harassment driven by Incognito, Pouncey, and guard John Jerry. He was eventually traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2014 and retired in 2015.