The California appeals court has overturned the rape conviction of former NFL player Dana Stubblefield, citing racially discriminatory statements made by prosecutors during his trial. Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for raping a developmentally disabled woman in 2015. The court found that prosecutors violated the California Racial Justice Act of 2020 by using racially discriminatory language, leading to the overturning of the conviction. Stubblefield’s attorney argued that the trial was biased and evidence in the defense’s favor was not allowed to be presented to the jury.
The case stems from an incident in which Stubblefield contacted the woman for a babysitting job, but she reported to the police that he raped her at gunpoint. DNA evidence matched Stubblefield’s, according to the police report. Prosecutors claimed the police did not search Stubblefield’s house due to his race, implying that a gun would have been found if he were not Black. Stubblefield argued that the encounter was consensual and transactional.
Stubblefield remains in custody pending a hearing next week, during which his attorneys will seek his release. Prosecutors have the option to appeal the decision or refile charges. The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the court’s opinion. Stubblefield had a successful NFL career with the 49ers and Raiders, winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997.
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