Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 12
Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper Faces Felony Strangulation Charge Ahead of July 22 Trial
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 12

Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper Faces Felony Strangulation Charge Ahead of July 22 Trial

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 12

Summary

  • Douglas County court records added a felony second-degree assault by strangulation count and a misdemeanor third-degree assault count to Jonathon Cooper's case after he had already pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
  • July 6 is set for a motions hearing, with a jury trial potentially starting July 22 — just before Denver is expected to open training camp in late July.
  • June 4 affidavits described a dispute with Cooper's girlfriend over cellphones, with sharply conflicting accounts; one officer initially wrote there was no probable cause for assault because statements conflicted and specific evidence was lacking.
  • The NFL said it has been in contact with the Broncos and could discipline Cooper under its personal conduct policy, while coach Sean Payton said the team would follow league and local-authority guidance.
  • Cooper, 28, remains in the Broncos' offseason program after signing a four-year, $60 million extension in 2024 and recording eight sacks in 2025.

Insights

Facing a mandatory 5-16 year prison sentence, is Jonathon Cooper's multi-million dollar NFL career already over?
Arrested twice in one week, what does this case reveal about the effectiveness of legal protection orders involving high-profile athletes?
Why would a player violate a court order just one day after facing a felony strangulation charge from the same incident?