Jury selection begins in punter's trial (AP)

ASFN Admin · July 30th, 2007, 10:10 AM

The trial of a former Northern Colorado backup punter accused of stabbing a rival began Monday with jury selection. Mitch Cozad of Wheatland, Wyo., is charged with attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault in an attack on starter Rafael Mendoza. Police have said they believe Cozad stabbed Mendoza in an attempt to get the starting job.

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Mulli · July 30th, 2007, 10:11 AM

Oh sure, attorneys, kick a guy when he is down.

Renz · July 30th, 2007, 10:43 AM

It seems obvious, to me anyway, that he wasn't trying to kill the guy. Cozad was trying to injure the other punter's leg so that he could get the starting punter's job.

There is no way he will be convicted of attempted first-degree murder. Is the DA going to argue that Cozad was trying to kill the guy by stabbing him in the leg?

Mulli · July 30th, 2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renz

It seems obvious, to me anyway, that he wasn't trying to kill the guy. Cozad was trying to injure the other punter's leg so that he could get the starting punter's job.

There is no way he will be convicted of attempted first-degree murder. Is the DA going to argue that Cozad was trying to kill the guy by stabbing him in the leg?

Starting punter said backup tried to pin him deep in the chest.

Renz · July 30th, 2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulli

Starting punter said backup tried to pin him deep in the chest.

Hmmm. Never heard that before.

Mulli · July 30th, 2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renz

Hmmm. Never heard that before.

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Cozad is accused of ambushing Mendoza in a dimly lit parking lot outside Mendoza's apartment on Sept. 11. Mendoza suffered a 3- to 5-inch-deep wound in his kicking leg. He told detectives that his attacker tried twice to stab him in the chest, Evans police investigator George Roosevelt testified at a hearing in January.

Renz · July 30th, 2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulli

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Cozad is accused of ambushing Mendoza in a dimly lit parking lot outside Mendoza's apartment on Sept. 11. Mendoza suffered a 3- to 5-inch-deep wound in his kicking leg. He told detectives that his attacker tried twice to stab him in the chest, Evans police investigator George Roosevelt testified at a hearing in January.

I had heard that Cozad ambushed the guy and stabbed him in the leg, but not the other part. It looked before that he was just trying to get the punter's job and not kill the guy.

Seems kinda farfetched that he was trying to murder him, but who knows?