National Football League

Preliminary hearing in Darren Sharper rape case set for Sept. 16

Published Aug. 8, 2014 2:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 16 for former NFL All-Pro safety Darren Sharper on charges that he drugged and raped two women he met at a West Hollywood nightclub.

Arizona, which has charged Sharper in a similar case, wants to extradite him there for trial. He's also been investigated in Louisiana, Nevada and Florida. But in May authorities in Florida found insufficient evidence to pursue charges there.

He has pleaded not guilty in California, and he and his lawyers have denied the allegations in the other states.

Prosecutors said outside court the preliminary hearing will take about two weeks. They're seeking to show there is sufficient evidence to order Sharper to stand trial.

He is accused of giving women drugs and raping them while they were unconscious.