Deion Sanders served subpoena for son's bankruptcy trial. Can he avoid testifying?

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders has received a subpoena to testify at his son Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy trial in Denver, set to begin on August 31 and last for approximately five days through September 4. The trial involves allegations that Shilo Sanders owes over $11 million in debt, with the majority owed to former school security guard John Darjean.

Darjean sued Shilo Sanders, claiming permanent injuries from an incident in 2015 when Sanders allegedly tried to confiscate his phone at school. Shilo Sanders filed for bankruptcy in 2023, with the judge, Michael Romero, acknowledging the potential conflict with Colorado's season-opening week on September 3. Sanders' attorney, Harvey Steinberg, has accepted the subpoena, but the judge has the final say on whether Sanders can avoid testifying due to a scheduling conflict.

Legal experts suggest that a judge will not quash the subpoena based on the witness needing to go to work, as this would affect almost all involuntary witnesses. Darjean's attorney, Ori Raphael, offered to schedule Sanders' testimony at a designated time, and the Boulder sheriff's office previously attempted to serve Sanders with the subpoena, but received no response.