Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is “still recovering” from being stabbed during a fight with a grease truck driver in Indianapolis, his lawyer revealed in court Wednesday.
Sanchez, a former Jets QB and Fox Sports analyst, was not required to appear for the short hearing in Indianapolis, nor will he be required to appear for the next hearing on Dec. 2, Judge James Osborn said.
“Thank you for allowing our client to be excused today,” defense attorney Tim Delaney said. “He is still recovering from injuries.”
Sanchez, 38, previously pleaded not guilty to charges of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication for the Oct. 4 altercation with Perry Tole, 69.
Tole, a grease truck driver, was parked at a Westin Hotel’s loading dock in downtown Indianapolis, when Sanchez attacked him for not moving his truck, court papers claim.
Tole used pepper-spray on Sanchez but the ex-football player continued the assault, including body-slamming the trucker against a wall and the ground, court docs allege.
Tole, believing Sanchez was trying to kill him, took out a knife and stabbed Sanchez two-to-three times in the chest, prompting the ex-athlete to flee, prosecutors allege.
The butt-fumbling NFL vet had to undergo surgery for his chest wounds and Tole also landed in the hospital for injuries. Graphic photos showed a bloody and battered Tole, in a hospital bed, hooked up to tubes, wires and a wearing a neck brace.
A prior judge on the case in Marion County Superior case recused herself without offering explanation last week. The new judge, James Osborn, quickly set Sanchez’ trial for Dec. 11.
Sanchez faces up to six years behind bars and up to a $10,000 fine if convicted in the case.
After his stint in the hospital, Sanchez said he was “grateful” for the surgeon who “saved my life.” He added that he was “recovering slowly” and said it would be “a long process.” He didn’t comment on the court case.
Tole has filed a lawsuit against Sanchez, claiming he “suffered severe permanent disfigurement” from the attack, including to his head, jaw and neck.
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