JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tyrone Hartsfield, the man convicted in 2009 of attempted murder in the shooting of Jaguars player Richard Collier, is pressing for a new trial.
Hartsfield was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Collier was left paralyzed from the waist down and had a leg amputated as a result of his gunshot wounds.
Hartsfield entered a Duval County courtroom Thursday morning in a green jumpsuit with his arms and legs shackled. He was carrying a stack of manila folders since he is now acting as his own lawyer.
In his push for a new trial, Hartsfield said the trial judge, Circuit Judge Mallory Cooper, committed a fundamental error by not suppressing cellphone evidence in the case.
During Thursday morning’s hearing, prosecutors presented an archived email from 2009 in which Cooper’s stance was clear in writing. In the email, she wrote “motion to suppress physical evidence denied."
Hartsfield told Judge Mark Borello he believes the email is a sham. “I just found out the email is fraudulent,” Hartsfield said.
Borello will hear Hartsfield’s arguments next month. The motion hearing is scheduled for July 1.
News4Jax spoke with Collier on Thursday afternoon. He said he is aware of Hartsfield’s bid for a new trial, but he’s moved on and built a new life for himself as a family man.
The former NFL star now calls himself a “happy, God-fearing man,” and takes time to mentor young people.
He still watches every Jaguars game, and hopes the 2019 season will be a success for the team.