SAN JOSE, California — Dana Stubblefield, a former player for the San Francisco 49ers, is set to remain in California state prison for the time being, as a judge recently decided against ruling on a bail request. The decision comes in light of an ongoing appeals process regarding Stubblefield’s previous conviction for rape, which was vacated last year.
In a hearing before Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon, he stated that he could not approve bail or release for Stubblefield due to the case being still under the jurisdiction of the appeals court. The Sixth District Court of Appeal overturned his conviction in December 2024, which had sentenced him to 15 years to life in prison, citing that racial bias had influenced the trial process against the Black defendant. However, the official ruling that would transfer the jurisdiction back to the lower court, known as the remittitur, is anticipated to be issued next month.
Stubblefield’s legal team is actively pursuing his release, arguing that there are no valid reasons to keep him incarcerated at this time. They have submitted a motion indicating that Judge Ramon has the legal power to move the former NFL athlete from California State Prison in Corcoran, where he has been serving nearly four years, to county jail and grant him bail. This, they contend, would restore him to his pretrial status, which they believe reflects his current legal position.
During the court proceedings, Judge Ramon emphasized that the local court would not regain jurisdiction until the appeals court formally issues the remittitur. The Deputy District Attorney’s office, led by Tim McInerney, expressed support for Stubblefield’s continued custody, according to reports.
Following the judge’s announcement, Stubblefield’s attorneys voiced their disappointment outside the courthouse. Attorney Ken Rosenfeld proclaimed that with everything vacated, Stubblefield is essentially a legally innocent man waiting for a procedural timeline, further underscoring the need for his release.
Stubblefield was sentenced in October 2020 after being found guilty of raping a woman whom he reportedly lured to his residence in 2015 under the guise of offering a babysitting job. In his defense, Stubblefield claimed that there was no rape and asserted that the sexual encounter was consensual in exchange for compensation.
In December 2024, the appeals court determined that the prosecutorial team had breached the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, which prohibits race-based considerations in seeking convictions and imposing sentences. The court noted that the prosecution had employed “racially discriminatory language,” leading them to annul Stubblefield’s conviction.
Stubblefield had a notable career in the NFL, beginning in 1993 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was acknowledged as the defensive rookie of the year. He was also recognized as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 before moving to play for the Washington team, returning to the Bay Area later to conclude his career with the 49ers and the Raiders.
A clarification has been issued to correct the prior misreporting that Stubblefield was convicted of raping a developmentally disabled woman. While he was indeed found guilty of rape, he was acquitted on the charge of raping an individual unable to provide consent.
