Latest news with #CaliforniaRacialJusticeActof2020
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-49er Dana Stubblefield freed from prison after rape conviction overturned
A judge has granted the release of former San Francisco 49er Dana Stubblefield after his 2020 rape conviction was vacated by a California appeals court last December. The Sixth Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of the Stubblefield, who is Black, after determining that prosecutors had made racially discriminatory statements during his trial. However, Stubblefield remained in prison because a lower court judge said he didn't have the jurisdiction to grant bail or release. After the state attorney general's office and the appeals court weighed in, Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon granted Stubblefield's release Friday from the state prison where he has served close to four years of a 15-year sentence. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'Finally, an innocent man is no longer sitting in a cage away from his family,' said Stubblefield's defense attorney Kenneth Rosenfeld in a statement. Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in October 2020 after being convicted of raping a woman in 2015 who prosecutors said he lured to his home with the promise of a babysitting job. Defense attorneys argued that no rape occurred, and Stubblefield said the woman consented to sex in exchange for money. Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerny objected to Stubblefield's release at Friday's hearing and said his office plans to re-file charges, The Mercury News reported. 'A jury unanimously found Mr. Stubblefield guilty of raping a woman at gunpoint, he was given an appropriate sentence, and we felt that justice had been served," Assistant District Attorney Terry Harman said in a statement. "That justice has been interrupted and although we are disappointed that the judge released Mr. Stubblefield from custody while we await a decision from the California Supreme Court, we remain focused on the sexual assault that occurred, the victim, and the need for accountability and community safety.' The Sixth Court of Appeals found that prosecutors violated the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, a law passed during a summer of protest over the police killing of George Floyd. The measure bars prosecutors from seeking a criminal conviction or imposing a sentence on the basis of race. The appeals court said prosecutors used 'racially discriminatory language' that required them to overturn Stubblefield's conviction. 'The entire trial was infected with error and bias from the start," Rosenfeld said. 'This was a consensual, transactional encounter, and (Stubblefield) lost years of his life due to a flagrantly biased trial that blocked critical evidence and allowed prejudice and racial bias into the courtroom.' Rosenfeld said prosecutors used 'prejudicial racial tropes' and called Stubblefield a 'large Black man' in front of the jury during his trial. The terms of his supervised release include wearing an ankle monitor, not possessing firearms, and being barred from contacting the reported rape victim. Stubblefield began his 11-year lineman career in the NFL with the 49ers in 1993 as the league's defensive rookie of the year. He later won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997 before leaving the team to play for Washington. He returned to the Bay Area to finish his career, playing with the 49ers in 2000-01 and the Raiders in 2003.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- The Independent
Ex-49er Dana Stubblefield freed from prison after rape conviction overturned
A judge has granted the release of former San Francisco 49er Dana Stubblefield after his 2020 rape conviction was vacated by a California appeals court last December. The Sixth Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of the Stubblefield, who is Black, after determining that prosecutors had made racially discriminatory statements during his trial. However, Stubblefield remained in prison because a lower court judge said he didn't have the jurisdiction to grant bail or release. After the state attorney general's office and the appeals court weighed in, Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon granted Stubblefield's release Friday from the state prison where he has served close to four years of a 15-year sentence. 'Finally, an innocent man is no longer sitting in a cage away from his family,' said Stubblefield's defense attorney Kenneth Rosenfeld in a statement. Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in October 2020 after being convicted of raping a woman in 2015 who prosecutors said he lured to his home with the promise of a babysitting job. Defense attorneys argued that no rape occurred, and Stubblefield said the woman consented to sex in exchange for money. Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerny objected to Stubblefield's release at Friday's hearing and said his office plans to re-file charges, The Mercury News reported. 'A jury unanimously found Mr. Stubblefield guilty of raping a woman at gunpoint, he was given an appropriate sentence, and we felt that justice had been served," Assistant District Attorney Terry Harman said in a statement. "That justice has been interrupted and although we are disappointed that the judge released Mr. Stubblefield from custody while we await a decision from the California Supreme Court, we remain focused on the sexual assault that occurred, the victim, and the need for accountability and community safety.' The Sixth Court of Appeals found that prosecutors violated the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, a law passed during a summer of protest over the police killing of George Floyd. The measure bars prosecutors from seeking a criminal conviction or imposing a sentence on the basis of race. The appeals court said prosecutors used 'racially discriminatory language' that required them to overturn Stubblefield's conviction. 'The entire trial was infected with error and bias from the start," Rosenfeld said. 'This was a consensual, transactional encounter, and (Stubblefield) lost years of his life due to a flagrantly biased trial that blocked critical evidence and allowed prejudice and racial bias into the courtroom.' Rosenfeld said prosecutors used 'prejudicial racial tropes' and called Stubblefield a 'large Black man' in front of the jury during his trial. The terms of his supervised release include wearing an ankle monitor, not possessing firearms, and being barred from contacting the reported rape victim. Stubblefield began his 11-year lineman career in the NFL with the 49ers in 1993 as the league's defensive rookie of the year. He later won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997 before leaving the team to play for Washington. He returned to the Bay Area to finish his career, playing with the 49ers in 2000-01 and the Raiders in 2003.
Associated Press
11-02-2025
- Associated Press
Ex-49er Dana Stubblefield freed from prison after rape conviction overturned
A judge has granted the release of former San Francisco 49er Dana Stubblefield after his 2020 rape conviction was vacated by a California appeals court last December. The Sixth Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of the Stubblefield, who is Black, after determining that prosecutors had made racially discriminatory statements during his trial. However, Stubblefield remained in prison because a lower court judge said he didn't have the jurisdiction to grant bail or release. After the state attorney general's office and the appeals court weighed in, Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon granted Stubblefield's release Friday from the state prison where he has served close to four years of a 15-year sentence. 'Finally, an innocent man is no longer sitting in a cage away from his family,' said Stubblefield's defense attorney Kenneth Rosenfeld in a statement. Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in October 2020 after being convicted of raping a woman in 2015 who prosecutors said he lured to his home with the promise of a babysitting job. Defense attorneys argued that no rape occurred, and Stubblefield said the woman consented to sex in exchange for money. Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerny objected to Stubblefield's release at Friday's hearing and said his office plans to re-file charges, The Mercury News reported. 'A jury unanimously found Mr. Stubblefield guilty of raping a woman at gunpoint, he was given an appropriate sentence, and we felt that justice had been served,' Assistant District Attorney Terry Harman said in a statement. 'That justice has been interrupted and although we are disappointed that the judge released Mr. Stubblefield from custody while we await a decision from the California Supreme Court, we remain focused on the sexual assault that occurred, the victim, and the need for accountability and community safety.' The Sixth Court of Appeals found that prosecutors violated the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, a law passed during a summer of protest over the police killing of George Floyd. The measure bars prosecutors from seeking a criminal conviction or imposing a sentence on the basis of race. The appeals court said prosecutors used 'racially discriminatory language' that required them to overturn Stubblefield's conviction. 'The entire trial was infected with error and bias from the start,' Rosenfeld said. 'This was a consensual, transactional encounter, and (Stubblefield) lost years of his life due to a flagrantly biased trial that blocked critical evidence and allowed prejudice and racial bias into the courtroom.' Rosenfeld said prosecutors used 'prejudicial racial tropes' and called Stubblefield a 'large Black man' in front of the jury during his trial. The terms of his supervised release include wearing an ankle monitor, not possessing firearms, and being barred from contacting the reported rape victim. Stubblefield began his 11-year lineman career in the NFL with the 49ers in 1993 as the league's defensive rookie of the year. He later won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997 before leaving the team to play for Washington. He returned to the Bay Area to finish his career, playing with the 49ers in 2000-01 and the Raiders in 2003.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Judge grants release of ex-49ers Dana Stubblefield
The Brief A judge granted the release of former 49er Dana Stubblefield from prison. His release comes after an appeals court overturned his rape conviction in December. The appeals court overturned the conviction after determining that prosecutors made racially discriminatory statements during his trial. SAN JOSE, Calif. - Former 49ers star Dana Stubblefield will be freed from prison after an appeals court granted his petition for release. What they're saying "Finally, an innocent man is no longer sitting in a cage away from his family," said his attorney, Kenneth Rosenfeld. "The Court of Appeals issued a forceful, unanimous ruling proving bias in Dana's case. And their ruling was only the tip of the iceberg – the entire trial was infected with error and bias from the start." Stubblefield's 2020 rape conviction was overturned by the Sixth District Court of Appeal in December after determining prosecutors made racially discriminatory statements during his trial. He remained in custody until a hearing Friday morning, where his attorney asked a judge to approve a motion for his release, which was granted. He is expected to be released by Saturday. Prosecutors could have asked the court to stay their decision so they could appeal to the state Supreme Court or refile the charges. The backstory The retired football player was sentenced to 15 years to life for the rape of a woman in 2015, whom prosecutors said he lured to his home with the promise of a babysitting job. The woman reported to police that Stubblefield raped her at gunpoint, then gave her $80 and let her go. DNA evidence matched that of Stubblefield, according to a report from the Morgan Hill Police Department. The appeals court found that prosecutors violated the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, a law passed during a summer of protest over the police killing of George Floyd. The measure bars prosecutors from seeking a criminal conviction or imposing a sentence on the basis of race. Prior to the law, defendants who wanted to challenge their convictions on the basis of racial bias had to prove there was "purposeful discrimination," a difficult legal standard to meet. The appeals court said prosecutors used "racially discriminatory language" that required them to overturn Stubblefield's conviction. During the trial, prosecutors said Morgan Hill police never searched Stubblefield's house and never introduced a gun into evidence, saying it was because he was a famous Black man and it would "open up a storm of controversy," according to the appellate decision. By saying Stubblefield's race was a factor in law enforcement's decision not to search his house, prosecutors implied the house would've been searched and a gun found had Stubblefield not been Black, the appeals court said. Defense attorneys said there was no rape, and Stubblefield said the woman consented to sex in exchange for money. The Source The Law Offices of Allen Sawyer.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Dana Stubblefield released from prison after December reversal of rape conviction
Dana Stubblefield has been granted his release from custody more than four years after the former NFL star was convicted of rape and more than six weeks after that conviction was reversed by a California appellate court because of 'racially discriminatory language' used by the prosecution during the trial. California Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon made the ruling Friday in Santa Clara, allowing Stubblefield his freedom, without having to post cash bail, as the next steps are determined. Stubblefield is required to wear an ankle monitor, can not possess firearms and is not allowed to contact his accuser. "He has simple conditions that are pretty common," Allen Sawyer, who represented Stubblefield, along with fellow attorney Kenneth Rosenfeld, told The Times by phone after the hearing. "He has to show up to court dates if there are any future court dates, which we don't even know if there will be. But as this finalizes and we march toward a retrial or the D.A.'s office comes to their senses and does not retrial Mr. Stubblefield, ... he's released on his own recognizance.' Santa Clara County assistant district attorney Terry Harman told The Times in a statement following Friday's hearing: 'A jury unanimously found Mr. Stubblefield guilty of raping a woman at gunpoint, he was given an appropriate sentence, and we felt that justice had been served. That justice has been interrupted and although we are disappointed that the judge released Mr. Stubblefield from custody while we await a decision from the California Supreme Court, we remain focused on the sexual assault that occurred, the victim, and the need for accountability and community safety.' Stubblefield — a former defensive player of the year who spent his 11 NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders — was charged in May 2016 with raping a woman at gunpoint the previous year. During his trial, Stubblefield's defense argued that the sex was consensual. In October 2020, Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and false imprisonment, and that he had used a firearm in committing the first two offenses. The 6th District Court of Appeal reversed Stubblefield's conviction late last year based on the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, which prohibits judges, attorneys and aw enforcement officers, among others, from exhibiting 'bias or animus towards the defendant because of the defendant's race, ethnicity, or national origin.' The appellate court's decision was based on language used in the prosecution's closing argument After Friday's hearing, Stubblefield had to return to Corcoran State Prison to complete some paperwork. But Sawyer said he expects Stubblefield to be back in Santa Clara by Friday evening. "We expect him to be home tonight," Sawyer said. "As my partner said, he'll be having a late dinner with his kids tonight.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
