Shilo Sanders Bankruptcy Trial Ends Without Verdict, $12M Debt in Limbo
A five-day bankruptcy trial in Denver concluded without a verdict, leaving a $12 million judgment owed by Shilo Sanders to former security guard John Darjean unresolved. Judge Michael E. Romero deferred his decision pending final written arguments due in mid-November. The core dispute centers on whether Sanders’ 2015 assault of Darjean constitutes a 'willful and malicious injury,' a legal exception that would block Sanders from discharging the debt. Darjean’s legal team argued Sanders never accepted responsibility, while Sanders’ defense claimed the incident was a brief struggle over a phone, not an assault. Darjean collapsed in court during testimony but did not return for closing arguments. Both sides accused the other of presenting incoherent arguments, and the judge described the case as highly emotional and difficult.