3 to Stand Trial in Attack on Charger

Three men accused of severely beating San Diego Charger Joe Phillips were ordered Monday to stand trial in Superior Court on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

Charged in the attack are Scott Stewart, a 24-year-old Santee resident who is free on $20,000 bail; David Hanna, 22, of San Diego, who is free on $20,000 bail; and Brett Dost, a 21-year-old San Diego resident who is free on $30,000 bail.

The three men will be arraigned Dec. 27 on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury and vandalism.

Phillips, a 315-pound nose guard with the Chargers, suffered severe head injuries when he was attacked Sept. 26 after leaving Saska’s restaurant in Mission Beach with a female companion. He was hospitalized for several weeks with a shattered orbital bone in his face.

Testifying Monday was William K. Colvin, a cabdriver, who said he drove past Saska’s parking lot during the attack. Colvin said he never saw Phillips offer any resistance to the beating. He described Phillips as “standing, but he was in an overlaid position with his arms hanging down.”

The three men used their hands and feet to hit Phillips in the upper body, chest and head, Colvin testified.

Phillips eventually fell to the ground and slumped against a car, but the attack continued, Colvin said.

“They were still hitting and kicking” Phillips’ head, Colvin testified.

Phillips is not expected to return to the playing field this season, but he has been participating at team meetings and using the weight room.