Tenative December trial date set in Peterson case

(AP) — Adrian Peterson is hoping to go to trial as soon as possible. Whether the star running back for the Minnesota Vikings returns to the playing field any time soon is another question entirely.
A Texas judge on Wednesday set a tentative Dec. 1 trial date for Peterson to face a felony charge of child abuse after using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son in suburban Houston earlier this year. Defense attorney Rusty Hardin said after the hearing that Peterson is “chomping at the bit” to defend himself publicly.
But the case might not be tried before the end of the year, meaning Peterson — who is on paid leave from the team — may not be back on the field this season. The Vikings’ final regular-season game is Dec. 28.
The trial date might change, too: Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said he intends to file a motion to recuse Judge Kelly Case after the judge called each lead attorney in the case a “media whore.” Case apologized, saying the comment was meant as a joke.
A Nov. 4 hearing was scheduled on whether to assign a new judge. Case said the trial would likely begin Dec. 1 if keeps the case.
Peterson faces up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of injury to a child. He has said he never intended to harm his son and was only disciplining him in the same way he had been as a child growing up in East Texas.
Accompanied by his wife and with his mother, Peterson did not speak during his court appearance and did not enter a plea. Hardin has indicated Peterson will plead not guilty and said he wants to try the case as quickly as possible since Peterson can’t play while the charge is pending. Hardin had wanted the trial to begin a week before Thanksgiving.