Former 49ers player Dana Stubblefield sees rape conviction overturned by appeals court

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PHOTO BY LG FRANCIS – NINERS DANA STUBBLEFIELD (LG Francis/San Jose Mercury News) (Digital First Media Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO – A former San Francisco 49er has reportedly had his rape conviction overturned.

According to the Mercury News, an appeals court on Wednesday overturned Dana Stubblefield’s 2020 rape conviction because prosecutors violated the Racial Justice Act.

Prosecutors claimed police never checked Stubblefield’s home for a weapon he was alleged to have used during the crime because he was a famous black athlete.

In a trial that lasted nine months, a jury found Stubblefield guilty of raping a babysitter at his Morgan Hill home.

The report also overturns his 15-year prison sentence.

Stubblefield’s attorney, Allen Sawyer, told KTVU that the decision was a long time coming and learned of the update to Stubblefield’s case Thursday morning.

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Sawyer also added that Stubblefield’s race was “constantly used as a prop” by the prosecution.

“We are just thrilled that we have a unanimous decision from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that agrees with us and with the appellate attorney, Mr. Doyle,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer claimed that the jury was not allowed to present evidence that would prove Stubblefield’s innocence.

As for the next steps, Stubblefield’s legal team expects the former Niner to appear in state court and be released immediately.

“We will be filing a motion with the court immediately for him to appear in court and be released,” Sawyer said. “We don’t really think it’s realistic that the prosecution would want to move forward under this rule, but we are prepared if they did.”

Stubblefield has been in prison for three years. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, including seven with the Niners.

San Francisco 49ers Dana Stubblefield, #94, listens to the crowd cheering after the San Francisco defense forced the Vikings offense to punt in the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at 3Com Park O.O has

In 1997, he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.

KTVU reporter Jana Katsuyama contributed to this report.