Former Pro-Bowler Darren Sharper Has Plea Deal Rejected By Judge

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo has denied former 5X Pro-Bowler Darren Sharper‘s plea deal of a nine-year sentence.

Milazzo told Sharper, in his orange prison coveralls and shackles, “The court cannot accept this plea agreement.”

Sharper’s lawyers had been anticipating the plea getting denied as the acknowledged they were preparing for trial in a court filing earlier this month, despite pleas usually getting accepted as formal federal prosecutor, Tania Tetlow pointed out.

“Usually, a federal plea agreement does not bind the judge as much as this one would have,” Tetlow said.

Tetlow also mentioned that plea deals with a specific sentence, like Sharper’s nine years, are uncommon.  Sharpe wanted his sentence reduced as he complied with a long list of requirements, including helping authorities in the Louisiana case.

Now Sharper and his lawyers have until March 3 to decide if they will withdraw the guilty plea offered last year.  harper pleaded guilty to charges involving four states while also pleading guilty or no contest in the state courts of Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Nevada.

Sharper has admitted to sexually assaulting one of the victims of the Arizona case. However police reports indicate that he allegedly drugged and sexually abused three women at an apartment in Tempe.

Sharper played 14 years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints, he was named an All-Pro six times and won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints.  He retired in 2010.