Mitchell Cozad (#60) who stabbed Rafael Mendoza (#16) to take his starting spot, is up for parole in January 2011
If you don’t recall the name Mitchell Cozad it’s probably because he has been incarcerated since 2007 for second degree assault of former University of Northern Colorado starting punter Rafael Mendoza. Back in 2006, Cozad was the second string punter for UNC. He begged and pleaded for the starting job, but his inability to actually punt the ball impeded his dream. Coaches were constantly on him to improve his punting and to work harder.
Being taught to fight for his dreams and presumably inspired by Tonya Harding, Cozad, who apparently had a crazed fanatic mother, took his mom’s words of wisdom a little too literally and devised a violent plan to take the starting spot. In September of 2006, Cozad, in a dark alley, ambushed Mendoza and violently stabbed him in the right thigh (his kicking leg). It didn’t take long for authorities to pin the assault on Cozad and in October of 2007 he was sentenced to 7 1/2 years for his horrific crime.
Well time sure does fly fast because Cozad’s first parole hearing is scheduled for January 2011. Knowing the state of the Colorado Penal System, there is a high probability he will be released on parole and returned to civilization before Valentine’s Day.
Now in a perfect world, that means Cozad cannot commit any crimes while under state supervision or he goes back to jail. However, people are creatures of habit. So if Cozad happens to be second in line for you girlfriend, for your job at the gas station, or for a pound of beef at the deli, you might want to watch your back because this guy is liable to slice and dice you.
