I'm so confused.....
No Charges Filed Against Former UNC Punter At This Time
Weld County DA Says More Time Will Help Strengthen Case
GREELEY, Colo. -- No charges will be filed at this time against a former University of Northern Colorado punter accused of stabbing his teammate, the Weld County District Attorney's Office said Friday.
The decision to delay the filing of charges came after District Attorney Kenneth Buck met for three hours with police detectives and prosecutors.
"Mr. Kenneth Buck has decided not to file charges at this time in order to continue the investigation by the Evans Police Department and other agencies. He believes the case will be clarified and strengthened by these additional efforts," said the DA's office in released statement.
Mitch Cozad was arrested Sept. 12 for allegedly stabbing Bears starting punter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg in a bid to win the starting job.
Cozad is out on bond and staying with his mother in Wyoming. Because charges aren't being filed, Cozad gets his bond back and he was released without condition, 7NEWS reported.
Cozad, of Wheatland, was expected to be formally charged with second-degree assault but the prosecutors said further investigation is needed to determine the appropriate charges.
Cozad's defense attorney told 7NEWS that he believes the DA does not have enough evidence or information to file at this time, but charges can be filed again against his client at a later date.
"It's good news in the fact that no charges have been filed but that just means they may be continuing their investigation," said defense attorney Andy Gavaldon.
Gavaldon described Cozad as "a young man under a lot of pressure."
"It's been very traumatic, not only for him but to his family," said Gavaldon.
Meanwhile, Mendoza has been attending team practices this week but is still hobbled because of his injury.
Bears coach Scott Downing has said Mendoza will miss Saturday's game but may return to punting duties when the team meets Weber State University on Thursday. He's getting a lot of support from his teammates
"They had RM written on their arms and he was in their pregame prayers.
So Rafael has been on their minds and we just hoping that he returns to the field as soon as possible," said Eric Scott, with the UNC Athletic Department.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9909442/detail.html
No Charges Filed Against Former UNC Punter At This Time
Weld County DA Says More Time Will Help Strengthen Case
GREELEY, Colo. -- No charges will be filed at this time against a former University of Northern Colorado punter accused of stabbing his teammate, the Weld County District Attorney's Office said Friday.
The decision to delay the filing of charges came after District Attorney Kenneth Buck met for three hours with police detectives and prosecutors.
"Mr. Kenneth Buck has decided not to file charges at this time in order to continue the investigation by the Evans Police Department and other agencies. He believes the case will be clarified and strengthened by these additional efforts," said the DA's office in released statement.
Mitch Cozad was arrested Sept. 12 for allegedly stabbing Bears starting punter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg in a bid to win the starting job.
Cozad is out on bond and staying with his mother in Wyoming. Because charges aren't being filed, Cozad gets his bond back and he was released without condition, 7NEWS reported.
Cozad, of Wheatland, was expected to be formally charged with second-degree assault but the prosecutors said further investigation is needed to determine the appropriate charges.
Cozad's defense attorney told 7NEWS that he believes the DA does not have enough evidence or information to file at this time, but charges can be filed again against his client at a later date.
"It's good news in the fact that no charges have been filed but that just means they may be continuing their investigation," said defense attorney Andy Gavaldon.
Gavaldon described Cozad as "a young man under a lot of pressure."
"It's been very traumatic, not only for him but to his family," said Gavaldon.
Meanwhile, Mendoza has been attending team practices this week but is still hobbled because of his injury.
Bears coach Scott Downing has said Mendoza will miss Saturday's game but may return to punting duties when the team meets Weber State University on Thursday. He's getting a lot of support from his teammates
"They had RM written on their arms and he was in their pregame prayers.
So Rafael has been on their minds and we just hoping that he returns to the field as soon as possible," said Eric Scott, with the UNC Athletic Department.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/9909442/detail.html
