Former 49ers Star Dana Stubblefield Denied Bail Despite Overturned Rape Conviction
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Former San Francisco 49ers star Dana Stubblefield, whose 2020 rape conviction was vacated in December 2024, will remain in California state prison for now after a judge declined to rule on his bail request Friday.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon stated he could not grant bail or release the former NFL player because the case remains under the jurisdiction of an appeals court, The Mercury News reported.
The Sixth District Court of Appeal overturned Stubblefield’s conviction and 15-year-to-life sentence in December 2024, citing racial bias that tainted his trial.Stubblefield, who is Black, was convicted in 2020 of raping a developmentally disabled woman he allegedly lured to his home in 2015 under the guise of a babysitting job. Though, the appellate court’s remittitur—a technical ruling that returns jurisdiction to the lower court—is not expected until next month.
Stubblefield’s attorneys have argued for his immediate release,claiming there are no legal grounds to keep him incarcerated. In a motion filed earlier this week, they asserted that Judge Ramon had the authority to transfer Stubblefield from California State Prison, Corcoran, to county jail and grant him bail, effectively restoring his pretrial status.
“As he sits here, everything has been vacated, he has been convicted of nothing, and a legally innocent man is sitting in prison as we’re waiting on a time clock,” attorney Ken Rosenfeld said outside the courthouse.
The case has drawn notable attention due to its intersection with the California Racial Justice Act of 2020, a law enacted during nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd. The appeals court found that prosecutors violated this law by using “racially discriminatory language” during Stubblefield’s trial, which led to the overturning of his conviction.
Stubblefield, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, began his 11-year career with the 49ers in 1993. He later played for Washington before returning to the Bay Area to finish his career with the 49ers and Raiders.
The case remains in limbo as the legal process unfolds. Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerney’s office has stated it supports keeping Stubblefield in custody, while his defense team continues to push for his release.
Key Points Summary
| Detail | Details |
|——————————–|———————————————————————————|
| Conviction Overturned | December 2024,citing racial bias under the California Racial Justice Act of 2020 |
| Original Sentence | 15 years to life for 2015 rape conviction |
| Current Status | Remains in prison pending remittitur from appeals court |
| Legal Argument | Defense claims no grounds for incarceration after conviction vacated |
| Prosecution’s Stance | Supports keeping Stubblefield in custody |
As the legal battle continues,the case raises critical questions about racial bias in the justice system and the implications of the California Racial Justice Act. Stay tuned for updates as the story develops.
