GREELEY, Colo. -- A former Northern Colorado backup punter charged with attempted murder in the stabbing of his rival surrendered to authorities Monday.
Mitchell Cozad was released on $500,000 bail. He is tentatively scheduled for a hearing Nov. 6, the district attorney's office said.
Cozad surrendered in Loveland, about 20 miles from Greeley, district attorney spokeswoman Jennifer Finch said.
The 21-year-old player is accused of stabbing starter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg last month in a crime that drew comparisons to the attack on Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan by Tonya Harding's hit man.
Cozad of Wheatland, Wyo., faces charges of 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 the university.
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| Ex-Bear Mitchell Cozad has a hearing at the D.A.'s office scheduled for November 6. (AP) |
Cozad's lawyer, Joseph A. Gavaldon, didn't immediately return calls.
Mendoza was attacked outside his apartment complex in Evans, a town adjacent to Greeley, on Sept. 11. Evans Police Lt. Gary Kessler has said the motive appeared to be competition for the starting job.
Kessler did not immediately return a call.
Investigators have said they were looking for an accomplice. Finch declined to say if any other arrests had been made.
Mendoza sustained a 3- to 5-inch puncture wound. He returned to the team and last week and averaged a career-high 47.8 yards on 10 punts, including a career-best 75-yarder in a loss to Eastern Washington.
