Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo – The former security guard who is owed more than $11 million from Shilo Sanders made another attempt to win his case against Sanders with a summary judgment finding that would have prohibited Sanders from getting out of that obligation in bankruptcy court. Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo
But bankruptcy Judge Michael Romero refused it again Jan. 27, setting the case on pace for trial more than two years when the former Colorado football player filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2023. The former security guard, John Darjean, had sought the court to grant him summary judgment on the basis that Sanders inflicted a “willful and deliberate” injury against him at school in 2015, when Shilo was 15 years old.
“The Court finds there are genuine issues of material fact regarding the circumstances surrounding the altercation between the parties, as well as Sanders’ state of mind, including whether he intended to cause injury to Darjean and/or whether Sanders’ actions were justified,” Romero wrote in his ruling obtained by USA TODAY Sports. “Given that this Court is prohibited from engaging in fact-finding or evaluating credibility at the summary judgment stage, these issues are appropriate for trial.” Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo
Judge grants separate request by Shilo Sanders creditor
Judge Romero on Jan. 27 also granted a motion by Darjean’s attorneys to abate, or put on hold, one of Darjean’s two cases against Sanders, son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders. Both lawsuits attempt to prohibit Shilo Sanders from discharging the $11 million debt he owes Darjean from a civil court decision in 2022.
But one of them appears to be Darjean’s clearest path to achieve that, so they’ve asked the bankruptcy court to abate the other one, putting that one on hold pending the outcome of the one they want to be front and center. This implies Sanders’ bankruptcy case could move into a higher gear shortly to assess if Sanders will get out of the debt. “I’m sure this is not the end of this,” Judge Romero stated during a recent court meeting to examine the motion to abate one of the cases. Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo
Why Shilo Sanders filed for bankruptcy
Sanders, 25, filed for bankruptcy after Darjean tried to collect on the $11.89 million default judgment he received against him after suing Sanders and his parents in 2016. Darjean accused Shilo Sanders of severely and permanently harming him when he tried to confiscate his phone at school in Dallas more than 10 years ago. The Dallas court subsequently withdrew Shilo’s parents from the lawsuit, leaving Shilo as the sole remaining defendant when he went to college at South Carolina in 2019. Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo
Shilo subsequently dropped his attorneys, didn’t react to trial notices and didn’t show up for the trial in 2022, when Darjean presented evidence before the court. The outcome was a $11.89 million default judgment against Sanders that will continue to adhere to him unless he gets it discharged in bankruptcy court. Darjean is seeking to prevent a discharge and wants to recover every penny owing to him. That’s why he filed two lawsuits in bankruptcy court against Sanders, each geared to prevent the debt from being wiped away.
Why Shilo Sanders’ creditor is making this move
One of Darjean’s two cases is based on part of bankruptcy law, section 523, that says debts are not dischargeable if they come from a “willful or malicious” injury from the debtor. This is the lawsuit Darjean wants on the front burner. They are have been accumulating evidence to show Sanders acted knowingly and maliciously when they say he punched and elbowed Darjean that day. Sanders has said it was self-defense. Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo
This is the same case where Darjean sought a summary judgment ruling in his favor − first in 2024 and then again with another motion filed under seal that the judge declined with his ruling Jan. 27. The judge’s denials only suggest he thinks the case should be determined at trial and not via a pretrial ruling from the bench.
“Questions involving a defendant’s intent or state of mind are generally not susceptible to summary judgment,” Romero’s latest order concluded. “Summary judgment on a (523) claim is only appropriate when the facts and circumstances surrounding a debtor’s actions leave no room for a trier of fact to conclude that the debtor willfully and maliciously harmed the plaintiff.”
A victory at trial for Darjean in the “523” case mean Sanders would be on the hook for the $11.89 million judgment and would not have it dismissed. It would basically be “game over” for Sanders, rendering Darjean’s other complaint irrelevant. Darjean was brought to the hospital that day in 2015. A day later, Sanders was taken to juvenile department center following a different incident, according to court records.
Judge abates other complaint against Shilo Sanders
Darjean’s attorneys wanted to abate their other action, which is based on another aspect of the law, section 727, which says debtors will not be allowed a discharge of their debt if they lied or tried to deceive the bankruptcy process by concealing, transferring or removing property. Sanders’ counsel has denied Shilo has done anything unlawful. But the lawsuit is still alive after basically surviving two efforts to dismiss it filed by Sanders’ counsel. It now will go on pause until the result of the 523 lawsuit. Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo
What is Shilo Sanders doing now?
Shilo Sanders recently featured as a fashion model in Paris with his younger QB brother Shedeur. He also reportedly revealed he was pursuing acting lessons after being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year. He relocated to Miami after after receiving a master’s degree at Colorado in organizational leadership. He earlier obtained a degree at Jackson State, where he also played for his father after transferring from South Carolina. Judge makes new rulings in bankruptcy case of Deion Sanders’ son Shilo
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