January trial scheduled in shooting death of ex-CFL player

The trial for the suspect in last year’s shooting death of former Saskatchewan Roughrider and NFLer Joe McKnight set for Jan. 16.

Ronald Gasser, 55, is charged with second-degree murder in McKnight’s 2016 death following a road rage shooting in New Orleans.

Prosecutors have cast Gasser as the aggressor. Gasser’s attorneys say he shot in self-defence.

New Orleans news outlets report the trial had been set next month but both sides requested more time to prepare.

McKnight spent three years in the NFL, but was cut by the New York Jets in 2013. He spent a year away from football before he signed with Kansas City. While playing for the Chiefs, he tore his Achilles tendon.

After a year of rehab, McKnight signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2016 but was released for fumbling issues. The Riders signed him shortly after.

The running back played in three games with the Riders in 2016 and was set to play in the 2017 season.

With files from the Associated Press