Jack Elway, son of Denver Broncos general manager John Elway, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from what police described as a violent fight with his girlfriend, the Denver Post reported.
Is John Elway's job in jeopard because of son's assault charge?
Elway, however, entered his plea on Wednesday, rather than before his publicly scheduled hearing on Thursday.
According to the Post, Elway's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, went to the court room of Denver County Judge Johnny Barajas early Wednesday morning and asked Barajas to hear Elway's case then, rather than on Thursday, and Barajas consented.
The Post reported that Barajas didn't break any rules by granting Steinberg's request, but the decision still was questionable, said attorney Tom Kelly, who often represents media outlets, including the Post.
John Elway's son arrested for assault and disturbing the peace
"This is one of the events before trial that is traditionally public and should be public," Kelly said. "To change that at the last minute, without giving the public a chance to be there, is wrong."
The 24-year-old Elway is facing disturbing-the-peace charges and assault during an incident at 1:40 a.m. on Saturday when Elway was driving with his girlfriend. A police report said he stopped his vehicle, walked around to the passenger's side and pulled the woman out of the vehicle by her hair.
The report said Elway ripped the woman's hair out of her head, as well as some hair extensions. The police report said that the woman tried to get back into the vehicle and Elway shoved her to the ground, scraping her knees.
He then left the scene.
A representative of the Denver's city attorney's office told the Post said Steinberg's request isn't uncommon and that the city attorney's office had no objections.
Kelly, however, said moving the time of hearing "clearly involves special treatment," and speculated that the maneuver could have been done to prevent media coverage.
"When that happens in a case that everyone knows darn well that the press is going to be there, it is not right for a judge to go along with that," Kelly said.
Barajas did not return phone calls from the Post seeking comment.
It was unclear whether that preferential treatment indicated a positive sign for Elway when his jury trial begins on Aug. 6.
Do you think that the judge's decision to allow Elway to avoid the media with his plea a day early is appropriate? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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