DENVER – The ongoing bankruptcy trial of Shilo Sanders took a gripping turn on Wednesday, September 2, as former school security guard John Darjean provided harrowing testimony regarding an incident that occurred in 2015. Darjean recounted how he was struck by Sanders, then a 15-year-old student, while attempting to confiscate Sanders' phone at the request of Deion Sanders, the current head coach of the Colorado football team and Shilo's father.
During his testimony, Darjean described the moment he was hit with a powerful roundhouse elbow to the neck, stating, "I started peeing down my leg and felt dizzy and off-balance." This incident, which took place on September 17, 2015, has led to a significant legal battle, with Darjean claiming he suffered permanent injuries as a result of the altercation. He is seeking to enforce an $11.89 million judgment against Sanders, stemming from a lawsuit he filed in 2016.
Darjean, who is now 50 years old, testified for over two hours, detailing the physical and emotional toll the incident has taken on him. He noted that he had to take several breaks during his testimony due to ongoing back pain and incontinence, which he attributes to the injuries sustained during the altercation. At one point, he even laid face-down on the courtroom floor to alleviate his discomfort.
In a particularly graphic moment, Darjean recalled, "I started urinating on myself. I had a lot of pee going down my leg and I was like, 'Why am I peeing on myself?'" He described being struck three times by Shilo Sanders: first with an elbow and then with two punches to the face. Following the incident, Darjean reported feeling lightheaded and was subsequently taken to the hospital by ambulance.
This trial marks the third day of proceedings, during which Shilo Sanders also took the stand. He maintained his position that he was the victim in the situation, asserting that Darjean had attacked him. This contradicts the findings of a Texas state judge in 2022, who ruled that Sanders had indeed caused physical harm to Darjean. "I did nothing to Mr. Darjean," Sanders testified, further complicating the narrative surrounding the incident.
Under cross-examination by Darjean's attorney, Ori Raphael, Sanders struggled to recall whether he had filed a police report or sought medical treatment following the altercation. While he mentioned seeing a nurse afterward, he could not confirm if photos of his injuries were taken. Sanders did, however, discuss photos he claimed to have taken of his own injuries, which showed marks on his arm and neck but did not support his claims of severe injury.
The crux of the trial revolves around whether Shilo Sanders can discharge the debt from the judgment in bankruptcy court. According to bankruptcy law, debts resulting from willful and malicious injury are not dischargeable. Darjean's legal team is arguing that Sanders' actions fall under this category, while Sanders maintains that he did not assault Darjean at all.
In his testimony, Darjean also recounted the events leading up to the altercation, explaining that he was called to remove Shilo Sanders from class due to suspected violations of school policy, including playing dice and using his phone. The situation escalated when Deion Sanders requested that Darjean retrieve the phone, which Shilo was reluctant to surrender. Darjean described Shilo expressing frustration, saying, "I hate my daddy," which added tension to the already volatile situation.
As the trial progresses, Darjean is expected to return to the witness stand, and there is a possibility that Deion Sanders may testify later in the week, depending on the topics discussed in court. Deion is currently preparing for Colorado's season opener against Georgia Tech on September 3, which adds another layer of complexity to the proceedings.
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