On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Indianapolis Star reported that Marion County Judge Jennifer Prinz Harrison recused herself from the criminal case involving former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez. Judge Harrison signed an order of transfer, requesting the Marion County Clerk’s office to randomly assign the case to another major felony court within the county. The order, dated October 14, 2025, did not specify the reasoning behind Harrison’s decision to recuse herself.
Following Harrison’s recusal, the case was reassigned to Marion County Judge James Osborn. Judge Osborn has since rescheduled Sanchez’s first pretrial conference for October 22. The jury trial is scheduled for December, according to court documents. Court documents also indicate that Sanchez has been granted permission to attend his hearings remotely.
Sanchez is facing serious charges, including a level 5 felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury. He also faces three misdemeanor charges: battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. Sanchez has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
The charges stem from an incident on October 4, where Sanchez allegedly attacked Perry Tole, a 69-year-old driver who was collecting used cooking oil from The Westin Indianapolis hotel. According to court documents, the confrontation occurred in the hotel’s loading dock. Video footage from the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown purportedly shows Sanchez grabbing and throwing Tole in an alleyway near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery.
Tole reported to police that he used pepper spray on Sanchez, but it had little effect. Fearing for his life, Tole then pulled out a knife and stabbed Sanchez two or three times, according to his statement to law enforcement. Tole sustained injuries to his left cheek and was treated and released from the hospital. Sanchez was hospitalized in critical condition.
Sanchez was released from the hospital on October 12 and processed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. This was part of a stipulation placed on the case by Judge Harrison before her recusal, allowing Sanchez to leave the state.
In related legal action, Tole filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and his employer, FOX Corp, days after the attack.
Judge Harrison’s recusal comes amid scrutiny regarding her sentencing decisions in other cases. She has faced criticism from law enforcement and families of crime victims, who perceive her punishments as being too lenient.
Luke Britt, spokesperson for Marion County Trial Courts, issued a statement emphasizing that “sentencing decisions are made in strict accordance with Indiana law, which requires the Court to consider all relevant factual and statutory factors, including both mitigating and aggravating circumstances.”
Source: Indianapolis Star
