A former college punter charged with trying to kill a teammate is “frightened” about his future and has asked a judge for permission to live outside of Colorado.
Mitchell Cozad’s lawyer, Joseph A. Gavaldon, declined to say today whether the request for his client to live in his hometown of Wheatland, Wyo., had been granted.
Jennifer Finch, a spokesman for the Weld County district attorney, said her office had not been notified of the request.
Cozad was released on $500,000 bail Monday after surrendering to authorities in Loveland. He is accused of stabbing Northern Colorado starting punter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg.
Cozad is charged with 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 from the university.
A judge granted a similar motion, permitting Cozad to live in Wyoming, when he was arrested shortly after the attack last month and held for investigation of second-degree assault. Prosecutors said they needed more information and decided against filing charges at the time.
“This is something of grave concern,” Gavaldon said of the charges. “I don’t know the basis of the charge. Whether it’s the nature of the case or the publicity it’s received, I don’t know. In 31 years, I’m never surprised by what the district attorney will do.” Gavaldon said Cozad is “frightened, apprehensive and concerned.
These are very serious (charges). It’s clearly different and more serious than the second-degree assault charges (originally filed).”
