The latest twist of the many in the stabbing case involving Mark Sanchez may not be good news for the former NFL star QB.
The judge who initially was selected to preside over the case has recused herself.
Jennifer Prinz Harrison signed an order of transfer on Tuesday, according to the IndyStar, with a reason for the move not disclosed in the court documents.
According to the outlet, Harrison has been criticized in the past for being “too lenient” with her punishments.
In a 2023 case, Harrison was ripped by former Indiana State Police superintendent Joe Carter for releasing Luis Leyba-Gonzalez, who had been accused of killing three people in a high-speed chase – including two family members and a 21-year-old woman.
Leyba-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to nine counts and was sentenced to two years in prison by Harrison earlier this month, as well as seven years of home detention.
The judge also presided over the case of 16-year-old Caden Smith, who was accused of killing three people. Harrison ruled that a search warrant and a SWAT raid used to arrest Smith were potentially unconstitutional, which resulted in evidence — including the murder weapon – being suppressed. Smith was released on US$1,000 bond and then, less than two months later, was arrested for dealing marijuana.
In August 2024, Harrison sentenced Smith to 189 years in prison for the triple killing.
Marion County Judge James Osborn, who took over the case, has moved up Sanchez’s first pretrial conference from Nov. 5 to Oct. 22, with a second hearing taking place in early December. Sanchez’s jury trial is set to begin on Dec. 11 with Sanchez being permitted to attend remotely.
Sanchez was booked Sunday on assault charges and processed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office following his release from hospital.
He was stabbed in the chest during an altercation with 69-year-old grease truck driver Perry Tole just after midnight on Oct. 4. According to court documents, Tole was parked in a hotel loading dock when Sanchez allegedly confronted him about a parking spot.
The Fox Sports analyst is facing a charge of level 5 felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury along with three misdemeanour charges: Battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
If convicted, Sanchez could serve up to six years in prison.
Tole also has filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and Fox Sports for civil damages. In the lawsuit, Tole claims he “suffered severe permanent disfigurement” in the attack and his head, jaw and neck were badly injured.