No jury and everything at stake: Inside Shilo Sanders' troubled trial as Deion's testimony hangs in balance
The former NFL safety is fighting to escape an $11.89 million civil judgment
Shilo Sanders ' bankruptcy trial began on difficult ground Monday, with the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety seeking to discharge an $11.89 million judgment stemming from a 2015 altercation with high school security guard John Darjean .
The central question is whether Sanders deliberately injured Darjean . If the judge determines his actions were "willful and malicious," the debt could remain beyond the protection normally provided through bankruptcy. There won't be a jury deciding Sanders' fate.
"The case will be decided by the presiding judge, not a jury," Mike Florio wrote. "Which means that, in the end, the judge will have to decide whether the full scope of the evidence does or doesn't point to 'willful and malicious' behavior by Shilo."
Deion Sanders could still testify
Another major question is whether Shilo's father, Deion Sanders , will become part of the proceedings.
"Deion will testify remotely on Friday, if (and only if) Shilo's lawyers open the door to potential testimony from Deion regarding the reason(s) for Shilo not wanting to lose access to his phone," Florio continued.
That would come one day after Colorado's 2026 season opener against Georgia Tech. Deion has already publicly supported his son while the case continues in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Denver.
Early testimony creates problems for Shilo
According to Florio 's account of reporting from USA Today's Brent Schrotenboer , several witnesses gave testimony that could make Sanders ' defense more difficult.
"Multiple witnesses testified via prerecorded video about the incident," Florio wrote. "One saw Shilo hit Darjean with an elbow in the throat before punching him twice.
"Another saw Shilo punch Darjean in the face, 'unprovoked.' Another said Shilo's conduct was 'aggressive' and 'volatile.'"
That said, Sanders ' attorneys have presented a different version of events.
"Shilo's lawyers claim that he had been 'overpowered' by Darjean during the altercation," Florio added. "Obviously, they'll need to introduce evidence that overcomes the initial witnesses presented by Darjean."
The financial consequences are enormous. Sanders didn't appear to defend himself in the original personal injury trial, resulting in the default judgment awarding Darjean $11.89 million.
Now his ability to eliminate that debt depends on convincing one judge that the 2015 incident doesn't meet the legal standard for willful and malicious conduct.
