The Broomfield judge overseeing the domestic violence case against former University of Colorado assistant football coach Joe Tumpkin did not allow Tumpkin to enter into a plea agreement Wednesday, saying he first wanted written motions from the attorneys explaining the reasons behind the deal and also said the victim had a right to be present.
Tumpkin, 47, is charged with five counts of second-degree assault and three counts of third-degree assault.
Tumpkin appeared Wednesday in Broomfield court for a preliminary hearing, but 17th Judicial District Attorney Trevor Moritzky confirmed earlier reports that prosecutors had reached a plea deal with Tumpkin, in which the former coach would plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of assault with a domestic violence factual basis.
Moritzky asked for the preliminary hearing to be waived and a plea hearing be set so Tumpkin could undergo a pre-sentence investigation and a domestic violence evaluation.
But defense attorney Jon Banashek asked that Judge Michael Goodbee immediately accept the plea Wednesday. “He is now ready to move forward,” Banashek said.
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