Greeley – A former Northern Colorado backup punter charged with attempted murder in the stabbing of his rival surrendered to authorities Monday and was released after posting $500,000 bail.
Mitch Cozad is accused of stabbing starter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg last month in a crime that drew comparisons to the attack on Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan by Tonya Harding’s hit man.
Cozad, 21, of Wheatland, Wyo., faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault and could be sentenced to 48 years in prison if convicted. He has been suspended from the team and the university.
His lawyer, Joseph A. Gavaldon, didn’t return calls.
Weld County district attorney’s spokeswoman Jennifer Finch said Cozad surrendered to police in Loveland, about 20 miles west of Greeley in neighboring Larimer County, rather than at the Weld County jail in Greeley.
Finch said a hearing is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6 in Weld County District Court in Greeley.
Mendoza was attacked outside his apartment complex in Evans, a town on the south side of Greeley, on Sept. 11. Evans Police Lt. Gary Kessler has said the motive appeared to be competition for the starting job.
Mendoza suffered a 3- to 5-inch puncture wound. He returned to the team two weeks ago and averaged a career-high 47.8 yards on 10 punts, including a career-best 75-yarder, in a loss to Eastern Washington on Oct. 14.
Investigators have said they were looking for an alleged accomplice. Finch declined to comment on whether any other arrests had been made.
