Mark Sanchez is ready to strike a deal.
The retired former NFL quarterback Sanchez intends to plead guilty in his ongoing criminal case, TMZ Sports reported on Thursday. Sanchez has come to an agreement with prosecutors and is asking the judge to set aside his trial start date (which was set for just five days from now) in favor of a guilty plea and sentencing hearing instead.
TMZ Sports also quoted Sanchez’s legal advisor Nick Sanchez Jr. in their report. Sanchez Jr. noted that the related civil matter with Sanchez was getting close to a resolution as well.
“This is a positive development,” said Sanchez Jr. “We are finalizing an agreement with the prosecutor’s office that provides a path toward resolving the state’s case. We’re also encouraged by the constructive conversations taking place regarding the related civil matter. There is real momentum toward bringing this entire chapter to a close.”
Sanchez, the 39-year-old former New York Jets quarterback, was arrested last October in Indianapolis, Ind. after allegedly confronting and attacking 69-year-old truck driver Perry Tole in a late-night dispute over parking. The incident left Sanchez hospitalized with multiple stab wounds after Tole says he acted in self-defense.
The ex-USC star Sanchez was later accused of being on illegal drugs at the time of the incident. Tole also ended up filing a civil lawsuit against Sanchez, claiming that he suffered gruesome injuries in the attack.
Sanchez is currently facing a felony battery charge as well as three other misdemeanor charges. His criminal trial was originally scheduled to begin in mid-July but had faced multiple delays ever since then.
