California

Ex-49er Stubblefield Wants Prosecutor Removed From Rape Case

A former San Francisco 49er accused raping a "mentally delayed'' woman is calling on a Northern California district attorney to turn over prosecution of the case to the state attorney general.

Attorneys for Dana Stubblefield on Friday argued in court papers that Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is using the high-profile case to further his political ambitions for higher office.

"We are having to defend ourselves against very scurrilous accusations and inflammatory language," Stubblefield's attorney Gary Winuk said during a news conference today outside the Hall of Justice in San Jose.

They are calling for the state Attorney General's Office to assign an "unbiased prosecutor," Winuk said. "We feel that the case now needs to be handled by an impartial body," Winuk said.

The district attorney charged Stubblefield on Monday with raping a woman last year while she was applying for a babysitting job in his Morgan Hill, California home.

On Tuesday, Stubblefield said the encounter was consensual and his attorneys denied the woman suffered from any disability that prevented her from consenting.

While the District Attorney's Office is allowed to provide press releases to inform the public of an arrest, the one issued on Stubblefield's case went above providing the public with basic information, Winuk said.

The document filed in court today referred to examples from the press release including statements from Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerny that in part stated "a vulnerable victim" and "she was unconscionably assaulted."

The document also cites February news release on another major case that stated the office declined to provide further comment, a policy that was violated in Stubblefield's case, Winuk said.

On Tuesday, information was leaked that the "potential victim" received benefits through the state's Department of Developmental Services benefits, which is data controlled by the government, Winuk said.

"For us, our focus is on making sure that Dana Stubblefield has a fair trial," Winuk said.

"(Stubblefield's) notoriety shouldn't be a factor here. This was a serious charge and serious allegation and he deserves justice just as everyone else," Winuk said.

The 45-year-old man was a defensive tackle in the NFL for 11 seasons. He played for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1990s and ended his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2003.

Currently a sports commentator, Stubblefield is a well-known figure in the Bay Area and works with multiple charities, primarily Special Olympics, his defense attorneys said.

"Our response is the evidence we will present in court. We seek justice for the victim and the people," the District Attorney's Office said in a statement after today's news conference.

The motion is expected to be heard during Stubblefield's arraignment scheduled for June 3.

Rosen's office said in a prepared statement Friday that it would respond to the recusal request in court.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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