Judge Orders Ex-ESPN Commentator Jay Mariotti To Stand Trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former ESPN commentator Jay Mariotti must stand trial on charges he stalked, injured and assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Tuesday that a judge found there is enough evidence for Mariotti to face the charges.

Prosecutors say Mariotti, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist, grabbed the woman outside a Venice restaurant in April, pulled a chunk of her hair out and took her cellphone away while shouting at her.

He also allegedly confronted the woman on Sept. 30, the same day he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery count stemming from an August incident with her. In that plea, he was sentenced to 36 months of probation, community service and a domestic violence course.

A message was left with Mariotti's lawyer. Mariotti's next court date is July 12.

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