National Football League

Document: Ex-NFL star Sharper, US renew plea negotiations

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Federal court documents say former NFL star Darren Sharper has renewed plea negotiations with federal prosecutors and is preparing a trial defense - which could indicate that his plea agreement in a drug and sexual assault case is off.

Sharper had pleaded guilty as part of a deal involving charges in four states. But a federal judge deferred acceptance of the deal last year.

Papers filed Wednesday state that plea negotiations have resumed. They say Sharper had not expected to face trial but he's now readying for a ''complex trial'' and must prepare to defend against ''witnesses from several other states.''

Wednesday's motions, filed jointly by prosecutors and Sharper's lawyers, seek a delay in a March 7 trial for two Sharper co-defendants: Brandon Licciardi and Eric Nunez. Attorneys on all sides declined comment.