Greeley – Evidence and statements from a man accused of stabbing the starting punter on the University of Northern Colorado football team can be used at his attempted murder trial later this month.
Lawyers for 21-year-old Mitch Cozad claimed police denied Cozad access to an attorney and threatened him and his mother to get a statement from him.
But Weld District Judge Marcelo Kopcow ruled Monday that nearly all the statements Cozad made during the police investigation of the Sept. 1, 2006, stabbing were voluntary, and searches of his dorm room and car were legal.
Cozad, a former UNC backup punter, is accused of stabbing the starting punter, Rafael Mendoza, in the thigh. Police claim Cozad stalked Mendoza before attacking him outside of his Evans apartment.
Cozad is charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault. If convicted, he could face up to 48 years in prison. He is free on $500,000 bond and has been living with his mother, Margaret Cozad, in Wheatland, Wyo.
The trial is scheduled to begin July 30.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
