Suspect in Paul Bissonnette assault case skips court appearance in Scottsdale

Suspect in Paul Bissonnette skips 1st court appearance

William J. Carroll was scheduled to appear in a Scottsdale court on Friday for his role in an assault against Spittin’ Chicklets podcast host Paul Bissonnette at a Scottsdale restaurant in November but failed to appear.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The first of six suspects charged for their involvement in an assault against former Phoenix Coyote Paul Bissonnette did not appear at his scheduled court date.

According to court documents, William J. Carroll, who was charged with four counts in the November assault, was scheduled to appear in court on Friday, Jan. 3.

The fight happened on Nov. 24 at Houston’s restaurant near McDonald Drive and Scottsdale Road around 7:30 p.m.

After a few punches were thrown inside the restaurant, the altercation spilled into the parking lot of a nearby CVS where multiple men were seen chasing down Bissonnette, trying to hit and kick him on the ground, before he could stand and get away on his own two feet.

The former NHL-er and podcaster said in a Spittin’ Chiclets episode that he was minding his business when he saw a group of men getting rowdy near the bar. He says he stepped in when a man appeared to get physical with one of the restaurant employees.

Along with his Spittin’ Chicklets podcast and NHL career, Bissonnette also appears as an analyst for NHL on TNT. 

Five others have been charged in the fight, including Danny Bradley, John G. Carroll, Sean Daley, Edward Jennings and Henry Mesker.

FOX 10 Phoenix reached out to the Scottsdale Police Department, and they confirmed Carroll failed to appear.

They did not say that a warrant for Carroll’s arrest had been issued.