NFL linebacker charged with punching cop returns to court

NFL linebacker Trevor Bates exits Queens Supreme Court with his attorney Sarah Stewart of Duane Morris LLP on Tuesday. Eagle photo by David Brand.

By David Brand

The NFL linebacker accused of slugging a Queens cop returned to court Tuesday, where a Queens judge scheduled a new hearing for Sept. 10. 

Trevor Bates, 25, is charged with multiple counts of assault for allegedly punching a cop inside the 115th Precinct in January. After his appearance, he declined to discuss how the charges and proceedings have affected his playing career. Bates was released by the Detroit Lions and remains a free agent as NFL teams begin training camp. 

The former seventh-round pick wore a light blue shirt and navy slacks as he sat in the second row of court talking with his attorney Sarah Stewart of Duane Morris LLP. Justice Barry Kron seemed perturbed as he addressed the two parties and agreed to schedule a new hearing for the fourth time.

Bates was arrested on Jan. 26 for allegedly refusing to pay a $32 cab fare outside an East Elmhurst hotel. Cops were set to release Bates with a desk appearance ticket until he allegedly hit NYPD Sergeant James O’Brien, splitting open the cop’s face near his eye.

Acting Queens District Attorney John Ryan said Bates “became combative and punched the sergeant in the face” after officers attempted to fingerprint him.

Cops tasered Bates and he was taken to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. He was still in the hospital when he was arraigned by video conference in February. 

Stewart said the defense would call a medical expert to testify at the next hearing. 

“Working around experts is problematic,” Kron said before discussed a continued hearing at a later date. 

Bates was released on $10,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.