PHOTO BY LG Francis – NINERS DANA STUBBLEFIELD (LG Francis/San Jose Mercury News)(Digital First Media Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
san francisco – Rape conviction against former woman san francisco 49er It was turned upside down.
An appeals court on Wednesday overturned Dana Stubblefield’s 2020 rape conviction, ruling that prosecutors violated the Racial Justice Act, the Mercury News first reported.
Prosecutors argued that police did not search Stubblefield’s home for the gun he allegedly used in the crime because he was a well-known black athlete.
In a trial that lasted nine months, a jury found Stubblefield guilty of raping the babysitter at his home. morgan hill house.
The opinion also overturns his 15-year prison sentence.
Stubblefield’s attorney, Allen Sawyer, told KTVU that the decision was long overdue and that he learned the latest in Stubblefield’s case Thursday morning.
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Sawyer also added that Stubblefield’s race was “constantly used as a prop” by prosecutors.
“We are simply thrilled that the Sixth District Appellate Court agreed with us and appellate attorney Mr. Doyle and issued a unanimous decision,” Sawyer said.
Mr. Sawyer argued that some of the evidence that would have proven Mr. Stubblefield’s innocence was not allowed to be presented to the jury.
As a next step, Stubblefield’s lawyers hope the former Niner will appear in state court and be immediately released.
“I plan to appear in court immediately to petition for his release,” Sawyer said. “I don’t think it’s realistic that prosecutors want to proceed with this rule, but if they do, we’re ready.”
Stubblefield has been in prison for three years. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, seven of them with the Niners.
In 1997, he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said it is reviewing the court’s decision before deciding whether to retry Stubblefield.
KTVU reporter Jana Katsuyama contributed to this report.
