The man accused of driving at a crowd of protesters and threatening them with a firearm Saturday pled not guilty to six counts of aggravated assault Tuesday afternoon, according to court documents.
William John Connelly, 64, was arrested Saturday afternoon after driving into a crowd of protesters, according to a Gainesville Police arrest report. A firearm was also found with Connelly during the time of his arrest.
The protesters were part of an offshoot demonstration after more than 1,000 people marched from Depot Park to Bo Diddley Community Plaza Saturday morning to protest the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a black man, died Monday after a white now-fired Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Mark Feather, Connelly’s attorney, submitted the plea in writing, according to court documents. Connelly also demanded a trial by jury in the document.
He was released from Alachua County Jail Sunday on $30,000 bond.
Contact Tristan at twood@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @TristanDWood.
