Prosecutors moved Thursday to dismiss a felony assault charge filed against former Broncos coach Michael Wilhoite, citing plans to downgrade to a misdemeanor charge and pursue the case in county court.
Wilhoite was fired in February for allegedly punching a police officer in the face after leaving his vehicle unattended in the departures lane outside of Denver International Airport.
When confronted about his vehicle by an officer, Wilhoite twice told the officer to “shut the (expletive) up” and bumped his chest into the officer, according to his arrest affidavit. When the officer shoved Wilhoite back, the ex-Broncos coach punched the man in the face, police said.
The officer fired his Taser at Wilhoite, striking his left side. Wilhoite was shocked for a few seconds before getting into his car and driving away, police said.
Wilhoite was charged in the incident with second-degree assault of a peace officer, a felony. He also faced misdemeanor charges of obstructing a peace officer and criminal mischief.
The case was being prosecuted in Denver District Court because of the felony charge. Now that prosecutors have dismissed the felony case in favor of misdemeanor charges, it will be pursued in Denver County Court.
Prosecutors did not specify which charges they planned to file against Wilhoite in the new case and did not elaborate on the decision to dismiss the felony charge. As of Thursday morning, the new case had not yet appeared on the county court docket.
The dismissed felony case will be sealed, Denver District Court Judge Martin Egelhoff said during the Thursday morning hearing.
Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.
Related Posts:
- Stanford pro-Palestine activists plead not guilty in felony vandalism case News Defendants charged in the felony vandalism case stemming from a June 2024 pro-Palestinian protest at Stanford University pleaded not guilty Wednesday to all charges at the Santa Clara County Superior Court in Palo Alto. The 12 defendants — mostly current and former Stanford students and alumni — were arraigned last…
- Stanford pro-Palestine activists plead not guilty in felony vandalism case News Defendants charged in the felony vandalism case stemming from a June 2024 pro-Palestinian protest at Stanford University pleaded not guilty Wednesday to all charges at the Santa Clara County Superior Court in Palo Alto. The 12 defendants — mostly current and former Stanford students and alumni — were arraigned last…
- Charges filed after woman fatally shot, set afire in Englewood and another kidnapped, sexually assaulted News A 65-year-old Roseland man is behind bars after being accused of fatally shooting and setting a woman on fire and kidnapping and sexually assaulting another woman at gunpoint last week on the South Side, Chicago police said. Gregory W. Hudson was arrested Thursday evening and charged with first-degree murder, concealment…
- Coachella 2026 full lineup just dropped: Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter and more News Stop what you’re doing, the Coachella 2026 full lineup just dropped. On Monday, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival shared the lineup for next year’s extravaganza and Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma are slated to headline. The annual festival is scheduled to return to Indio April…
- Coachella 2026 full lineup just dropped: Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter and more News Stop what you’re doing, the Coachella 2026 full lineup just dropped. On Monday, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival shared the lineup for next year’s extravaganza and Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma are slated to headline. The annual festival is scheduled to return to Indio April…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)