Mark Sanchez’s trial delayed again after NFL star was accused of fighting truck driver high on fentanyl and cocaine
The trial of former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez, who is facing several charges including felony battery, has been delayed for a third time.
The 39-year-old is accused of attacking 69-year-old Perry Tole in Indianapolis back in October. Sanchez suffered multiple stab wounds to his upper right torso during the near-fatal brawl.
The retired quarterback – who was fired from his job as a Fox Sports analyst – may have been under the influence of cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and alcohol, according to a document filed by Tole’s attorneys in a related federal lawsuit.
The trial was initially slated to begin last year but Judge James Osborn has now pushed the case back until May 28.
Back in November, the trial was postponed from December to March and then in February, the judge rescheduled it for April.
Day one of the trial was set for April 9 but now WISH-TV reports that Judge Osborn has agreed to have a pretrial conference on May 20 before the trial kicks off eight days later.
The trial of former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has been delayed for a third time
Sanchez, pictured with wife Perry Mattfeld, is facing several charges including felony battery
The decision comes after a request from the defense team. It is the third time that Sanchez’s attorneys have asked for a delay. The reason for their request is not clear.
Sanchez, a quarterback-turned-TV analyst, faces counts of felony battery as well as misdemeanor public intoxication and unauthorized entry of a vehicle.
The former New York Jets first-round draft pick was in Indianapolis to cover the Colts’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders for Fox the following day when the altercation with Tole occurred.
After briefly being booked into jail upon his release from hospital, Sanchez was fired by the network in early November.
A police affidavit alleged that Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted Tole, who had backed his truck into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis on October 4.
Tole claimed in a lawsuit that Sanchez entered the truck without permission, then physically blocked him. Tole responded by dousing Sanchez with pepper spray, the truck driver told police.
When Sanchez advanced after being sprayed, Tole pulled a knife to defend himself, authorities said.
A picture of Tole that circulated online following the incident showed him in a neck brace on a hospital bed, covered in blood with a deep slash to the side of his face.
Tole, who has claimed self-defense and has not been charged, is suing Sanchez, Fox Sports and local restaurateur Huse Culinary in federal court.
Sanchez was fired by Fox Sports a month on from his arrest over the incident in Indianapolis
Among the allegations against Sanchez are that he may have been under the influence of cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and alcohol.
‘[Tole] has cause to believe that one or more of these substances may have been consumed in one of [the restaurant company’s] establishments which caused or contributed to Sanchez’s impairment and his subsequent negligent and/or knowing conduct,’ read the filing, obtained by the Daily Mail.
Tole’s attorneys did not provide any evidence to support these claims and are instead calling for a further investigation to confirm the extent of Sanchez’s intoxication and whether any defendants had knowledge of him using additional intoxicants.
In a statement provided to Daily Mail, Sanchez’s attorney Andrew M. McNeil said: ‘These are allegations in a civil filing, nothing more, and they should be treated accordingly. Allegations are not evidence. The truth will be determined by facts and evidence presented at trial, and we look forward to presenting them at the appropriate time.’
