Attorney Seeks Release of Former NFL Star from Jail
Following the recent landmark ruling that overturned ex-NFL star Dana Stubblefield’s rape conviction and sentencing, Trial Attorney Ken Rosenfeld and Co-Counsel Allen Sawyer are gearing up for a second hearing on January 17th, whereby the defense attorneys hope to present a compelling case for their client’s release from jail.
On December 26, 2024, ex-49ers defensive tackle and Super Bowl champion Dana Stubblefield won a multiyear battle in the Sixth District Court of Appeals, vacating his 2020 conviction of rape using a firearm, announced by his winning defense team, Kenneth Rosenfeld of The Rosenfeld Law Firm and Allen Sawyer (d.b.a., Rosenfeld & Sawyer), Case #F1660022. A key statement made by the prosecution during the closing arguments of his original trial, which took place during the George Floyd protests, was deemed “racially discriminatory” and determined to unjustly influence the jury, resulting in the dramatic ruling.
Stubblefield, a former San Francisco 49er, was originally convicted of holding a woman at gunpoint and raping her after she came to his Morgan Hill, California, home in 2015 to interview for a babysitting job. Although a gun was mentioned, it was never formally introduced in the trial because, as the prosecution stated, searching the home of a famous Black man during this time would result in a “storm of controversy” due to national protests for perceived racial injustice. This statement, as well as the withholding of key evidence in the trial, it was argued by the defense team, could have altered the trial’s outcome. For these reasons, the appellate court found the 2020 rape conviction and 15-years-to-life-in-prison sentencing to be invalid.
After the ruling, Lead Attorney Rosenfeld said, “The court’s decision is a victory not just for Mr. Stubblefield but for the integrity of our legal process. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all evidence is presented fairly and that every defendant receives a trial free from prejudice.” Rosenfeld’s partner Allen Sawyer added, “This ruling is a crucial reminder that racial discrimination has no place in our justice system. The facts of this case were overshadowed by bias, and we are grateful that the appellate court has taken a stand for justice.”