Former federal prosecutor Neama Rehmani asserts that defending Mark Sanchez will be quite challenging, despite his plea of not guilty to a felony battery charge.
The ex-New York Jets quarterback was discharged from the hospital on Sunday and subsequently taken to the Marion County Jail. He faces charges of felony battery, along with misdemeanor battery, public intoxication, and unauthorized entry following allegations that he assaulted a 69-year-old truck driver.
affiliate WXIN reporter Russ McQuaid spoke with Sanchez after he left the Marion County Community Justice Camps.
Sanchez is accused of attacking Perry Tole, 69, in Indianapolis’s downtown in the early morning of October 4. Known for his time at Southern California and his role as a high-profile NFL analyst on Fox Sports, Sanchez was in Indianapolis to commentate on the Colts’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 5.
“The defense will face significant hurdles, especially with existing video evidence reviewed by law enforcement and testimonies from independent witnesses,” Rehmani conveyed on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Monday.
“While a self-defense claim might be considered, given that Sanchez was pepper-sprayed and then stabbed, Indiana law poses challenges if one is identified as the initial aggressor.”
Tole recounted to authorities that Sanchez seemed intoxicated while attempting to enter his truck. When Sanchez did not retreat, Tole used pepper spray and then stabbed him, claiming it was in self-defense. Both individuals received medical treatment at a hospital.
Sanchez was seen bloody and wounded in surveillance video obtained by TMZ. According to the chief prosecutor, the attack was captured by multiple surveillance cameras. In the footage obtained by TMZ, Sanchez was seen to be affected in some capacity, ostensibly intoxicated.
“I fully expect to see a plea in this case and a civil settlement,” Rehmani said.
“I’m not just saying this because I went to UCLA, but there’s a history of allegations against him going back to college, as well, so that dirty laundry may come out. … That’s why I expect his team to try to wrap this up as quickly as possible,” he added.
