CRIME

Judge sets March trial date for former UGA football player charged with sexual assault

Athens Banner-Herald

FILE - Georgia outside linebacker Adam Anderson (19) during the Bulldogs’ practice session at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Anderson faces a rape charge and his trial starts on March 27, a judge ruled on Nov. 21, 2022.

A rape trial for a former University of Georgia football player could happen in March.

Steve Sadow, the veteran Atlanta criminal defense lawyer representing former UGA player Adam Anderson, said on Monday in Clarke County Superior Court that he has trial conflicts in January and February, which includes an extended racketeering trial.

Western Circuit Superior Court Judge Eric Norris was amenable to scheduling the trial after Sadow’s other cases have concluded. Norris set the trial to start on March 27.

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Sadow said he and co-defense counsel Barbara Moon of McDonough have no discovery disputes over evidence and he has no pending motions.

Western Circuit District Attorney Deborah Gonazalez told the judge her office may have some motions to file prior the trial.

Anderson is charged with the Oct. 29, 2021 rape of a 21-year-old woman at a residence on South Milledge Avenue in Athens. Athens-Clarke police took out a warrant charging Anderson with rape on Nov. 9, 2021 and he was indicted by a grand jury in April.

Anderson, who is from Rome, was a star linebacker for the UGA Bulldogs and had been projected as a high draft pick in the spring 2022 NFL draft.

After Anderson's arrest, Sadow said his client “will plead not guilty to the charge and continue his fight in court to clear his name and reputation.”