mariotti
You remember Jay Mariotti don’t you?  That kind, lovable television personality that lit up the screen on ESPN’s Around the Horn as the level-headed, straight-shooting, popular everyman that spoke on behalf of fans everywhere.  Then there was his honest and refreshing sports column that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, surely a role model for all aspiring sportswriters…

Of course you don’t remember that Jay Mariotti, because the real Jay Mariotti was universally despised as a television personality and columnist by sports fans, players, managers, co-workers, and nearly every person with a human conscience.  In fact, Jay Mariotti’s downfall was celebrated in the sports world like Christmas Day and the Fourth of July wrapped into one.  Well, Mariotti is back in the news because he will stand trial in Los Angeles for felony domestic assault and stalking charges stemming from his April arrest.  In case you need caught up on Mariotti’s whereabouts the last year, there was the first arrestsuspension, firingsentencing, and then the second arrest.  After pleading no contest the first go round, Mariotti will stand trial this time after pleading not guilty to the recent charges.  Here’s more details from the Los Angeles Times

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that former ESPN sports personality Jay Mariotti must stand trial on felony stalking and assault charges in connection with allegations leveled by his ex-girlfriend.

Judge Mark Windham ruled that there was enough evidence to hold Mariotti to answer on charges that include stalking, corporal injury on a spouse or domestic partner, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.

Mariotti, who faces up to five years in state prison if convicted on all counts, has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well as to two misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order.

Domestic violence is a horrifying crime and this is Mariotti’s second round of charges relating to it.  Given Mariotti’s history and what he’s said in the past about domestic violence, there aren’t exactly many people left in his corner.  It will be intriguing to see how the media follows the Mariotti trial and the flood of (deserved) negative press that will come his way (once again).  Perhaps Mariotti will again be a topic Out of Bounds later today on Around the Horn…

Former ESPN personality Jay Mariotti to stand trial on stalking and assault charges – LA Times