Deion Sanders’ court appearance dropped as Shilo Sanders faces $11.89 million bankruptcy battle over 2015 incident

Deion Sanders will not have to testify in his son Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy case after the judge decided his appearance was no longer needed. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael E. Romero released Deion from his subpoena on Thursday, September 3. The decision came as the trial moved through a key stage, with Shilo fighting to erase an $11.89 million judgment tied to a 2015 incident involving former school security guard John Darjean.Deion Sanders released as Shilo Sanders faces $11.89 million debtDeion had been expected to be available to testify remotely on Friday, but that plan changed after the judge determined that his evidence was not needed. According to USA TODAY, Judge Romero told the court, “He is released,” ending the requirement for Deion to appear.The timing also worked out well for Deion. His Colorado football team had opened its season with a win over Georgia Tech less than a day earlier. With his testimony no longer needed, he could avoid being pulled into the courtroom fight over events involving his son from 11 years ago.The bigger issue remains with Shilo Sanders. He is trying to have the $11.89 million judgment against him cleared through bankruptcy. The debt comes from Darjean’s lawsuit over their 2015 confrontation at a Dallas-area school. A Texas court later entered the judgment after Shilo did not appear for the 2022 civil trial.The bankruptcy case is focused on one important question: whether the injuries were caused by a “willful and malicious” act. If the judge reaches that conclusion, the debt cannot simply be erased through bankruptcy.Shilo Sanders witness faces questions as John Darjean collapsesThursday also brought a difficult moment for Shilo’s defense. Ruda Nash James, a former school administrator, testified that she saw Darjean choking Shilo during the 2015 confrontation. But Darjean’s lawyer then played a recording of a phone call James had with Shilo’s mother, Pilar Sanders, on the day of the incident.Pilar asked James, “Did you see his hand around Shilo’s neck?”James answered, “I didn’t see the neck part. I didn’t see all that.”That difference became an important part of the testimony. James also confirmed that the law firm representing Shilo was paying for her travel and hotel costs for the trial, although she said that did not affect what she told the court.Later, Darjean collapsed after spending more than two hours testifying. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance and was released later that day, according to USA TODAY. The judge also stopped Shilo’s lawyer from focusing on whether Darjean’s earlier baseball career could have caused some of his health problems, saying that was not the issue being decided in this bankruptcy case.The five-day trial ended Friday, September 4, with no immediate decision. Judge Romero now has to decide whether Shilo Sanders can discharge the $11.89 million debt through bankruptcy.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.