Steward Butler, Former Marshall RB, Pleads Not Guilty to Battery Charges

Former Marshall football player Steward Butler reportedly entered a not guilty plea Tuesday in response to felony civil rights violations and misdemeanor battery charges after an alleged attack on a gay couple in April.

Patti Nieto of WVNS TV reports the running back's lawyers entered the plea in court. He was previously released from jail on $25,000 bond and dismissed from the Marshall football team in May. The report includes further details about the evidence in the case:

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Cell phone video shot by the victims in this case, Zackary Johnson and Casey Williams, shows the alleged attack.

Both men say Butler punched them and shouted gay-slurs at them.

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Butler spent three seasons as part of the Thundering Herd's backfield rotation. He rushed for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns over that stretch while also making an impact on special teams during his first two years.

The report states two men claimed Butler yelled derogatory comments in their direction after he witnessed them kissing before stopping the car and attacking them. No other information about the case was released.

Butler is scheduled to return to court July 13.