Contradictory testimony and graphic descriptions of a 2015 physical altercation take center stage as a Denver judge weighs Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy.
The Shilo Sanders bankruptcy trial reached Day 3 in a Denver courtroom on Wednesday.
John Darjean, a former school security guard, testified about the incident with the Sanders family on Sept. 17, 2015. One of the most notable things during this trial has been Shilo's range of emotions. On Wednesday, the 26-year-old former Colorado Buffaloes defensive back listened to Darjean's account and looked stunned at what he was hearing. There were several times I looked over to see him taking in the depth of what was happening in the case.
Darjean said Sanders hit him “super, super hard” with a roundhouse left elbow to the neck area, along with a combo of punches in a series of moves. This came after Deion Sanders asked Darjean to confiscate his son's phone. A key detail is this case that surfaced in the over two hours of testimony from Darjean. He said he called Deion back and explained Shilo is not complying.
"I'm your brother in Christ, Shilo is a whole bunch of talk, in Jesus name, his mom is coo-coo, you have no idea what I'm dealing with, please get the phone." When Darjean approached Shilo to finally get the phone, Shilo pulled his pants up (threat gesture), and said, "Ima gonna swing on you, you're not getting this phone, Ima bust you in your f------ head if you touch me."
The trial has proven a contradiction in the self-defense terms and facts of the case. Sanders admitted to being angry with his father but wanted to have a line of communication with his mother, Pilar Sanders. But Deion Sanders was intent on making sure that didn't happen due to the custody agreement in Deion and Pilar's divorce. On Day 2, Shilo said he didn't defend himself, but used force to break free of Darjean's grip. What force did you use defensively and was it acceptable? That's what Shilo was asked. The answer changed over a 24-hour period.
Darjean's attorney, Ori Raphael, asked Shilo about his actions. "Did you not make any physical contact with Mr. Darjean? But specified only body-to-body contact and Darjean's body weight. Did you make contact with Mr. Darjean?" Sanders' response was "Yes." It's clear the contradiction during the trial will be a factor when Judge Michael E. Romero makes his ruling later this week.
“I did nothing to Mr. Darjean,” Sanders added on Wednesday.
Sanders also doubled down on his non-supported claim that Darjean attacked him, and not the other way around. This goes against several other eyewitnesses and the findings of a Texas state judge in 2022. Sanders said he personally took photos of his injuries from Darjean that day after the incident. Raphael questioned when the photos were taken and the extent of his injuries.
On the other hand, Darjean also told a dramatically different story. He details some of the injuries he received that day from Sanders, including chronic back pain and incontinence. “I started urinating on myself,” Darjean recalled from the incident. “I had a lot of pee going down my leg. And I was like, `Why am I peeing on myself?”
Day 3 of Sanders’ bankruptcy trial ended with Darjean set to take the stand on Thursday.
Shilo Sanders is trying to wipe out an $11.89 million judgment he owes Darjean over the 2015 incident. This centers on proving his actions weren't "willful and malice." In 2023, Sanders filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in an effort to free himself of that debt and get a “fresh start.”
Judge Romero is expected to make his ruling sometime this week.
Deion Sanders and the Buffs are in Atlanta this week. Colorado opens the 2026 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 against Georgia Tech.
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