The opening of retired NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez’s battery trial in Indianapolis has been delayed from March 12 to April 9, marking the second postponement in the proceedings.
Marion County Superior Court Judge James B. Osborn granted a continuance to Sanchez’s legal team as the player-turned-TV analyst faces counts of felony battery as well as misdemeanor public intoxication and unauthorized entry of a vehicle. The reason for the continuance remains unclear.
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.
Sanchez may have been under the influence of cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and alcohol, according to a new document filed by Tole’s attorneys last month in a related federal lawsuit.
‘[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.
The ex-NFL quarterback is facing a felony battery charge along with several misdemeanors
Sanchez, pictured with wife Perry Mattfeld, is set to stand trial over the incident in April
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.’
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.
