A California appeals court has reversed the rape conviction of former San Francisco 49er Dana Stubblefield, citing that the prosecution made racially biased remarks during the trial of the Black defendant. Stubblefield was sentenced to a prison term of 15 years to life in October 2020 after being found guilty of raping a woman with developmental disabilities in 2015. Prosecutors argued that he had enticed the victim to his home under the pretense of offering her a babysitting job.
On Wednesday, the Sixth Court of Appeals concluded that the prosecutors breached the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, legislation created in the wake of widespread protests regarding police brutality after the death of George Floyd. This law prohibits prosecutors from seeking convictions or imposing sentences influenced by a defendant’s race.
Previously, defendants who sought to contest their convictions on racial bias grounds were required to demonstrate “purposeful discrimination,” an exceedingly challenging legal hurdle. The appeals court determined that “racially discriminatory language” used by the prosecutors warranted the overturning of Stubblefield’s conviction.
Kenneth Rosenfeld, Stubblefield’s lead attorney, remarked that the trial was fundamentally flawed from the start. In April 2015, Stubblefield allegedly contacted the 31-year-old woman through a babysitting website, which led to a reported 20-minute interview. After the interview, she claimed Stubblefield texted her about payment, prompting her to return to his home.
The woman later alleged that Stubblefield had raped her at gunpoint and then handed her $80 before releasing her. DNA evidence reportedly linked the crime to Stubblefield. During the trial, the prosecution stated that police did not search Stubblefield’s home or introduce a gun as evidence, claiming that his status as a famous Black man could provoke significant backlash.
The appeals court noted that by suggesting race influenced law enforcement’s lack of search for evidence, the prosecution implied that a different outcome would have occurred if Stubblefield’s race were different. This assertion tied Stubblefield to the racial tensions that arose following Floyd’s death.
Defense attorneys maintained that the encounter was consensual, with Stubblefield asserting that the woman agreed to engage in sexual acts for money. Rosenfeld argued that the presiding judge was biased in limiting the defense’s ability to present evidence, including the woman’s background as a sex worker, to the jury. He described the incident as a “transactional occasion” rather than a criminal offense.
Stubblefield remains in custody until his upcoming hearing, during which his legal team will request a judge’s approval for his release. Prosecutors have multiple options, including seeking to pause the appeals court’s ruling while they consider an appeal to the state’s Supreme Court or possibly refiling charges. The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office has indicated that they are reviewing the appellate decision.
Stubblefield, who had an 11-year career as an NFL lineman, commenced his journey with the 49ers in 1993 and earned the title of the league’s defensive rookie of the year. He was recognized as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 before he transitioned to the Washington team, later returning to the Bay Area to conclude his career with the 49ers and the Raiders.
