Former NFL star defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison back in 2020, which stemmed from allegations that he had raped a woman in 2015.
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In view of the situation that was presented by the prosecutors, they "alleged the ex-San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman lured a woman to his home in Northern California to talk about a babysitting job — and then sexually assaulted her at gunpoint. Stubblefield had vehemently denied the claims — calling the sex consensual" (per TMZ).
And now after serving nearly half a decade in prison, the California appellate court has withdrawn Stubblefield's sentence, as there were reportedly multiple issues brought up with the trial, including a violation of the California Racial Justice Act of 2020.
UPDATE: State appeals court tosses rape conviction & 15 years-to-life sentence for ex-@49ers tackle Dana Stubblefield, saying #SantaClaraDA violated CA Racial Justice Act by saying his race was factor by @MorganHillPD not to search his home pic.twitter.com/qEscb9f27S
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) December 27, 2024
Stubblefield's lawyers, Kenneth Rosenfeld and Allen Sawyer, talked about how 'euphoric' the ex-NFL was upon hearing the good news.
"He's excited, euphoric. He's excited to be home and to get out," they said in an interview with TMZ. "We always knew this was going to happen, there was no doubt whatsoever in our minds."
"He's going to be with his family," Sawyer added. "If there's one thing that Dana misses the most, it's being with his family."
That is to say, Stubblefield, 54, will make a public statement about the situation, as the lawyers said he will talk about the injustice that he endured.
"Once out, he will tell his story."
BREAKING: Former #NFL Defensive Player of The Year Dana Stubblefield just had his 15-year prison sentence for rape OVERTURNED.
6th Court of Appeals ruled prosecutors violated the 2020 California Racial Justice Act, passed after George Floyd, which bans race-based convictions. pic.twitter.com/pVagVeHxsg
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 31, 2024
Stubblefield's on-the-field accomplishments include: Super Bowl champion (XXIX); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1997); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1993).
Related: NFL Hall Of Famer Lawrence Taylor Arrested In Florida Once Again
