Denver Broncos Linebacker Jonathon Cooper Pleads Not Guilty to Domestic Violence Charges: Trial Set for Late July
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper has pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges in Douglas County court. Cooper and his girlfriend were arrested and charged with criminal mischief as a crime of domestic violence after a reported incident. The charges vary in severity, with Cooper facing a misdemeanor-level charge and his girlfriend a petty-level offense. A jury trial for Cooper's case is set for late July, with a motions hearing scheduled for July 6 and the trial expected to start on July 22.
Cooper's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, stated that the defense team plans to proceed with a jury trial and avoid filing any motion to dismiss. The trial is aimed to be conducted as soon as possible to prevent any impact on Cooper's football career. Cooper, a key pass-rusher for the Broncos, signed a lucrative contract extension in 2024 and has been a consistent performer for the team. His trial could coincide with the start of the Broncos' training camp in late July, just before the 2026 NFL season kicks off.
The arrest stemmed from an altercation between Cooper and his girlfriend, where allegations of cheating led to a physical confrontation. Both parties provided conflicting statements to the police, resulting in no charges of harassment or assault due to lack of probable cause. The girlfriend claimed that Cooper grabbed her by the neck and threw her against a wall, while Cooper stated that he only grabbed her arm to retrieve his phone. The girlfriend's injuries were observed by officers, but they did not align entirely with her claims of being lifted and thrown repeatedly.
Cooper's girlfriend is also facing legal proceedings and is scheduled for a pre-trial conference in mid-June. The case has garnered attention due to Cooper's status as a prominent player for the Broncos and the potential impact on his upcoming season. The trial is set to take place just before the team's training camp, adding a layer of uncertainty to Cooper's future with the team. Stay updated on this developing story for more details.