CENTENNIAL, Colo.—An arraignment for Broncos receiver-returner David Kircus was continued until Oct. 2 on an assault charge stemming from a fight that landed a 26-year-old man in the hospital with facial fractures.
Kircus’ attorney Harvey Steinberg said the arraignment was continued to provide more information to the prosecution.
Kircus missed the start of practice Tuesday to appear in court. If convicted of second-degree assault, Kircus could face five to 16 years in prison. He is accused of punching the man after a party in suburban Denver on May 20.
An Arapahoe County sheriff’s report said Kircus had been asked to leave the party and the alleged victim had escorted him to the sidewalk. The report said Kircus pointed out they were no longer on private property and hit the other man in the eye, causing multiple fractures.
“You don’t know what I’m capable of,” Kircus told the man, according to the report.
Kircus told coach Mike Shanahan he didn’t throw the first punch and was acting in self-defense. He kept his job in the offseason when he passed a lie detector test that he volunteered to take. Shanahan had pledged to release Kircus if it was determined he was at fault in the altercation.
Although polygraph results aren’t admissible in Colorado courts, Kircus has said he’s confident he’ll be exonerated.
Kircus has had a solid training camp but faces stiff competition for a roster spot.
He resumed his NFL career last season after spending a year away from football working in a sandwich shop and had nine catches for a team-leading 20.8 yards per catch and returned six punts for a 14.3-yard average.
