What Denver Broncos defensive standout Jonathon Cooper is accused of doing is heinous. Arrested twice in early June – one week apart – after reports of a domestic violence incident in Parker, Cooper stands charged with not only trying to “strangle” his then-girlfriend, but also violating a protective order and making “harassing phone calls.” These are very serious, second-degree felony charges.
As of now, he has a court date scheduled for August 31st.
When the story first came out, most people figured Cooper’s days with the Broncos were over, period.
Now, that doesn’t appear to be the case, at least at this moment. Cooper is in camp, working out with the other first-team defensive players and appears on track to play this season, almost as if nothing happened.
Something did happen, of course. If Cooper were being tried in the court of public opinion, he’d already have been convicted, tarred and feathered and led out of town.
But that’s not how the justice system works. With law enforcement now in charge of determining the outcome of the case (and very likely Cooper’s Broncos career), it’s possible that Cooper will be treated like most other first-time offenders, with some level of leniency. Perhaps that’s what the Broncos ownership and front office have been counting on all along?
Cooper is a high-profile defendant, and his court date is sure to be heavily covered in the media. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to get convicted of anything.
In many cases, the courts do not look to “throw the book” at a first-time offender. Given the nature of Cooper’s alleged actions – which did not resemble the actions of a mentally stable individual – his legal team took the appropriate step, and had him immediately enter an in-patient mental health therapy program. Cooper likely did say, a 30-day stint in a rehabilitation setting during the time between the arrest and the start of training camp. In these cases, the court will typically take that into significant consideration before passing final judgment. Especially since the defendant did so on his own – not having been ordered or required to do so. He and his legal team took the initiative to show the court that the defendant is serious about recovery and mending his ways.
This means Cooper could potentially be given credit for “time served.”
If that is indeed how this has gone down to this point, the Broncos and the courts could deem that Cooper has indeed taken enough steps to rehabilitate himself, and give him credit for the time and the work that he’s already done… and consider the debt paid.
Of course, the NFL will still have something to say about it. Regardless of whether or not Cooper is punished further by the legal system, there will probably be a hefty fine and a suspension of at least a game or three. Court-ordered probation is likely as well. Another misstep will not be looked on as compassionately.
Certainly the Broncos are prepared for all of this. Jonah Elliss is getting ready to start. If Cooper hadn’t taken any steps to make amends or repair whatever issues led to his meltdown and criminal behavior, then it’s likely he wouldn’t be suiting up for the Broncos at all this season.
Will this be enough to placate Broncos Country? That’s a gamble the still new Broncos ownership appears willing to take.
