Four individuals have been offered plea deals in connection with the assault on former Arizona Coyotes player Paul Bissonnette. The incident took place at a Scottsdale restaurant, Houston’s, on November 24, 2024, after Bissonnette intervened in a dispute, attempting to assist restaurant management who were contending with a disruptive group of men.
The defendants—Sean Daley, John Carroll, Henry Mesker, and Danny Bradley—have been charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. According to court documents, the escalation of the conflict led to Bissonnette being assaulted both inside and outside the venue. Prosecutors have provided information about the plea offers, allowing three of the defendants until early July to decide whether to accept them.
Daley’s legal representation sought a plea agreement for simple assault, a misdemeanor, arguing that the consequences of major charges were excessive. Daley’s attorney, Lawrence Kazan, emphasized that his client had a moment of poor judgment after a day of drinking and felt remorseful for the incident. According to their account, Daley only intervened after witnessing Bissonnette knock out his cousin. Kazan also addressed the presence of a fake military ID in Daley’s possession during the event, calling it a novelty item, and requested that this not lead to further charges.
The plea deals come as Bissonnette, who played for the Coyotes from 2009 to 2014, continues to recover from the altercation, highlighting the complex interactions that can arise in public settings and the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions.
This situation illustrates the unforeseen consequences of conflicts and the potential for personal growth and rehabilitation. Daley’s commitment to sobriety and treatment reflects a positive step forward, suggesting hope for individuals who find themselves in similar predicaments.