Fifteen years ago, Miriam Helmick was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of her second husband, Colorado businessman Alan Helmick. She currently sits behind bars at the Colorado Women’s Correctional Facility serving a prison sentence for a crime she says she did not commit.
Now, Miriam Helmick is speaking publicly for the first time since her conviction, offering details about her relationship with Alan and the events of the fateful day when he died.
“It won’t be over for anybody until it’s over for me, and I do have hopes,” Helmick said. “I know that I didn’t kill him.”
Miriam Helmick is seen in this undated mugshot.
Colorado Dept. of Corrections
Helmick spoke with ABC News’ John Quiñones in a prison interview for a new “20/20” airing Friday, January 31, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, and streaming the next day on Hulu.
The couple’s story began on the dance floor. Miriam, a dance instructor, taught Alan ballroom dancing and their friendship blossomed into romance. Their nuptials were a second marriage for them both, and they had dreams of sharing a life together. Miriam describes Alan as a “very kind, very sweet man.” She said he was funny and well liked in the community.
“He always had your best interest at heart usually,” Miriam Helmick said about Alan.
Their dreams came to a sudden and tragic end on June 10, 2008. Miriam said she was running errands that morning and planned to meet Alan for lunch. When she couldn’t reach him by phone, she told police she returned to their Whitewater, Colorado, home and found her husband lying in a pool of blood.
The house appeared ransacked, and Miriam frantically called 911.
Robin Martin, an investigator with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, reflected on the Miriam Helmick case.
ABC News
Robin Martin, an investigator with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office who worked on the case, remembered how the first officers who arrived on the scene said they found Miriam distraught and kneeling over her husband.
“Alan was on the floor in the kitchen,” Martin said. “It looked like he had been shot in the head. We had a bullet casing next to his body.”
Police found no one else in the house. As they conducted a sweep of the home, they noticed drawers pulled out in the kitchen and a trash can tipped over in Alan’s office.
Investigators followed routine protocol to thoroughly review the spouse’s whereabouts. They tested Miriam for gunshot residue and swabbed her clothes for blood. Those tests came back negative. She even showed police all the printed receipts from where she was shopping that day.
“She actually went from one end of the valley to the other end,” Mesa County Prosecutor Rich Tuttle said. “We were able to track her movements not only by her receipts, but by her cellphone interacting with cellphone towers.”
Miriam also told police about a shocking incident that happened just six weeks earlier.
During an interview after her husband’s murder, Miriam Helmick showed police all the printed receipts from where she was shopping that day.
Mesa County Police Department
Miriam said that someone had attempted to blow up Alan’s car. The couple had been in nearby Delta, Colorado, when Miriam went to the restroom and came back to see Alan’s car on fire. A wick was found in the gas tank.
“He came in saying that his car was on fire, and he asked me to get water, and that’s all I know about it from there,” Miriam Helmick told “20/20.”
When investigators in Delta asked Alan if Miriam could have been the one to start the fire, Alan insisted she would not have done that and asked that police stop the investigation.
“Oh God. No, I don’t think that,” Alan Helmick is heard on a recording of the police interview about the fire incident in Delta, Colorado. “Why would she do that?“
In her “20/20” interview, Miriam Helmick suggested that Alan might have started the fire himself. She said that he could have been trying to collect insurance money.
“The thing about Alan (was) if he had thought I had done it, he’d have helped me pack a bag, put me on I-70,” Helmick said. According to Miriam, Alan told her the investigation was done and that was the last they spoke of it.
Weeks after her husband’s death, Miriam Helmick said she found a disturbing card on her doorstep with an ominous message inside.
Mesa County DA
As days passed with no suspects in custody for Alan’s murder, Miriam Helmick said she became convinced she was being watched, reporting that weird things were happening around her house.
Then weeks after Alan’s death, Miriam said she found a disturbing card on her doorstep with a message inside that said, “Allen [sic] was first, your [sic] next. Run, run, run!”
It was a mysterious note that made Miriam’s friends worry for her safety and that she may be the next target.
“Miriam calls me and she’s frantic,” Jeri Yarbrough recalled of the incident with her friend. “She goes, ‘What should I do?’ And I said, ‘Well, you need to hang up the phone and call the police and get out of there.’ I said, ‘because somebody could be there trying to hurt you.’”
When Martin investigated the card, she said she was shocked by what she tracked down. The surveillance video from the store where the card was purchased showed it was Miriam Helmick who bought that greeting card.
“It was her. She was wearing the same style of shirt that she had walked in with her [police] interview,” Martin said.
In her interview with ABC News Correspondent John Quiñones, Helmick claimed that she saw suspicious cars driving around her property in the time after Alan’s death and that she felt police were not taking it seriously. She said she wrote the card herself in the hopes that police would up their investigation.
“Maybe it was a really bad decision,” Miriam said, “but at the same time, I thought they would come out and actually look to see who this person was because it didn’t seem to be care very much about my safety at that point, and they hadn’t told me that I was a person of interest.”
Prosecutors said Miriam alone was responsible for Alan’s death. Six months after the murder, Miriam was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder for the car fire incident and several counts of forgery. Prosecutors claimed Miriam’s motive for murder was money.
“There were suspicious bank account activity where it appeared that Miriam had forged multiple checks from Alan’s account,” Tuttle said. “All told, she had taken about $40,000 out of his account through writing those checks.”
Miriam told Quiñones that Alan knew that she was writing those checks. She said that they owned a dance studio and a horse farm together and Miriam was responsible for payroll and other business expenses.
Mesa County Prosecutor Rich Tuttle told “20/20” he believes the jury was correct in convicting Miriam Helmick.
ABC News
In December 2009, a jury found Miriam Helmick guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Alan Helmick. She was also convicted of attempted first-degree murder for the car fire and multiple forgery counts. She was sentenced to life in prison plus 78 years.
Tuttle told Quiñones he thinks the jury got it right. “I think there’s no way that Miriam Helmick should ever be free in society again. So, life in prison without the possibility of parole, it’s the only sentence that serves justice,” Tuttle said.
From prison, Miriam said she is determined to clear her name and will not stop until she is successful.
“I know that I didn’t kill him, Helmick said. “I don’t care about anybody else’s opinion. What I want more than anything is to prove that.”
Miriam Helmick has filed numerous appeals with the courts. They have all been rejected.
When it comes to Alan’s family and friends, there are some things that they would rather forget, they told “20/20.”
“I try not to think about the murder. I more like to think about the fun times that we had with Alan. Those are good memories,” Ed Benson said of his friend.
Alan’s friends prefer to remember him as someone who “was a lot of fun.”
“He was the kind of guy you could meet and have a drink with and have a good laugh,” Alan’s friend, Bob Cucchetti, said.
In a shocking turn of events, the woman found guilty in her husband’s murder case has spoken out for the first time since her conviction. The case, which garnered national attention, involved allegations of jealousy, infidelity, and ultimately, a deadly confrontation.
In a tearful statement to the press, the woman maintained her innocence, claiming that she had been wrongly accused and convicted. She insisted that she loved her husband deeply and would never have harmed him.
“I miss him every day and I would give anything to have him back,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. “I never wanted this to happen, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to prove my innocence.”
Despite her protests, the evidence presented during the trial painted a different picture. Witnesses testified to seeing the woman arguing with her husband on the night of his murder, and forensic evidence linked her to the crime scene. The jury ultimately found her guilty of first-degree murder.
As the woman prepares to appeal her conviction, many questions still linger about the true nature of her relationship with her husband and what led to his tragic death. Only time will tell if the truth will ever come to light.
In a shocking turn of events, the conviction of Kaitlyn Conley has been overturned by the state Appellate Division. Conley, who was convicted of poisoning her boss, chiropractor Mary Yoder, in 2015, has maintained her innocence throughout the trial and subsequent appeals process.
The Appellate Division ruled that there were errors in the original trial, including the admission of expert testimony that was deemed unreliable. This decision has sparked a mix of emotions from both supporters and critics of Conley, with some relieved that justice has been served while others are outraged at the possibility of a guilty person going free.
Conley’s legal team is now preparing for a potential retrial, as prosecutors have vowed to continue pursuing justice for Mary Yoder. The case has garnered national attention for its complex legal issues and the dramatic twists and turns that have unfolded over the years.
As the legal battle continues, the fate of Kaitlyn Conley remains uncertain. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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Utica, N.Y. — A state appellate court has overturned a Central New York woman’s conviction for poisoning her former boyfriend’s mother in 2015.
Kaitlyn Conley, 31, was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for the death of her boss Mary Louise Yoder — who was also the mother of Conley’s former boyfriend Adam Yoder — after her second trial in 2017. Her first trial ended in a hung jury and the second jury acquitted her of a murder charge.
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In a shocking turn of events, Kaitlyn Conley’s conviction for killing her former boyfriend’s mother with poison has been overturned. The 25-year-old woman was originally found guilty of murder in 2017 and sentenced to 23 years to life in prison.
However, new evidence has come to light that raises questions about Conley’s guilt. The defense team presented evidence that the victim, Mary Yoder, may have accidentally ingested the deadly toxin through a contaminated drink rather than being intentionally poisoned by Conley.
After a lengthy legal battle, the appellate court agreed that there was reasonable doubt in Conley’s case and overturned her conviction. Conley, who has maintained her innocence throughout the ordeal, expressed relief at the news and is looking forward to rebuilding her life.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and fair trials in the pursuit of justice. As the legal proceedings continue, the true circumstances surrounding Mary Yoder’s tragic death may finally come to light.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Directed by Elijah Bynum, Magazine Dreams stars Majors, 35, as Killian Maddox, an aspiring bodybuilder who abuses steroids in his quest for recognition.
In the movie’s first teaser, Killian is shown going to great lengths to achieve his dream of being named Mr. Olympia, the international bodybuilding champion.
“You have to do something big and important, or no one will remember you when you’re dead,” he says in a voiceover.
Killian, who takes care of his ailing veteran father (Harrison Page), is shown speaking to a therapist (Harriet Sansom Harris), who informs him that it’s important he “find people that [he] can make an emotional bond with.”
“If you’re not 100 percent you will never be successful,” he adds in another voiceover. “You’ve got to commit all energy and focus to being the greatest bodybuilder on the entire planet. That’s what separates one from being a champion, one from not being a champion.”
Jonathan Majors leads ‘Magazine Dreams’ as amateur bodybuilder Killian Maddox (Briarcliff Entertainment/YouTube)
Described as an exploration of “celebrity and violence,” Magazine Dreams sparked a bidding war after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023.
It was purchased by Searchlight, with the distributor announcing it would arrive in theaters in 2023. However, after Majors was found guilty in December that year of harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Searchlight removed the film from its release schedule.
Majors reportedly ate 6,100 calories a day for four months and trained for six hours a day to obtain and maintain the extreme muscular physique required for the role.
The Creed III actor was on a meteoric rise in the industry when he was found guilty of one count of third-degree assault and one count of harassment against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
The same day the verdict was delivered, Majors was also dropped from the role of Kang the Conquerer in the forthcoming fifth Avengers film, which was then titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. It has since been renamed Avengers: Doomsday,with Robert Downey Jr. playing a different antagonist, Dr. Doom.
Majors said he was “heartbroken” over the decision.
In a shocking turn of events, Jonathan Majors’ highly anticipated film Magazine Dreams has released its first trailer following the actor’s recent assault conviction. The trailer offers a glimpse into the visually stunning and emotionally gripping world of the film, showcasing Majors’ undeniable talent as an actor.
Despite the controversy surrounding Majors, fans and critics alike are eager to see how he brings his character to life in Magazine Dreams. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay, promises to be a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and redemption.
As the release date for Magazine Dreams approaches, it remains to be seen how Majors’ legal troubles will impact the film’s reception. However, one thing is clear: his performance in the trailer is nothing short of mesmerizing, leaving audiences hungry for more.
Stay tuned for more updates on Magazine Dreams and Jonathan Majors’ upcoming projects as the story continues to unfold.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Directed by Elijah Bynum, Magazine Dreams stars Majors, 35, as Killian Maddox, an aspiring bodybuilder who abuses steroids in his quest for recognition.
In the movie’s first teaser, Killian is shown going to great lengths to achieve his dream of being named Mr. Olympia, the international bodybuilding champion.
“You have to do something big and important, or no one will remember you when you’re dead,” he says in a voiceover.
Killian, who takes care of his ailing veteran father (Harrison Page), is shown speaking to a therapist (Harriet Sansom Harris), who informs him that it’s important he “find people that [he] can make an emotional bond with.”
“If you’re not 100 percent you will never be successful,” he adds in another voiceover. “You’ve got to commit all energy and focus to being the greatest bodybuilder on the entire planet. That’s what separates one from being a champion, one from not being a champion.”
Jonathan Majors leads ‘Magazine Dreams’ as amateur bodybuilder Killian Maddox (Briarcliff Entertainment/YouTube)
Described as an exploration of “celebrity and violence,” Magazine Dreams sparked a bidding war after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023.
It was purchased by Searchlight, with the distributor announcing it would arrive in theaters in 2023. However, after Majors was found guilty in December that year of harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Searchlight removed the film from its release schedule.
Majors reportedly ate 6,100 calories a day for four months and trained for six hours a day to obtain and maintain the extreme muscular physique required for the role.
The Creed III actor was on a meteoric rise in the industry when he was found guilty of one count of third-degree assault and one count of harassment against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
The same day the verdict was delivered, Majors was also dropped from the role of Kang the Conquerer in the forthcoming fifth Avengers film, which was then titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. It has since been renamed Avengers: Doomsday,with Robert Downey Jr. playing a different antagonist, Dr. Doom.
Majors said he was “heartbroken” over the decision.
In a shocking turn of events, actor Jonathan Majors’ upcoming movie Magazine Dreams has released its first trailer amidst the news of his recent assault conviction. The highly anticipated film, which was set to be a career-defining role for Majors, has now been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the actor.
Despite the negative publicity surrounding Majors, the trailer for Magazine Dreams showcases his undeniable talent and charisma on screen. The film, which follows the story of a struggling magazine writer who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, promises to be a thought-provoking and emotional rollercoaster.
Majors, who was convicted of assault last month, has yet to comment on the situation. Many fans and industry insiders are now wondering how his legal troubles will impact the release and reception of Magazine Dreams.
As the trailer for Magazine Dreams circulates online, the public’s reaction to both the film and Majors’ personal life remains divided. Only time will tell how this controversy will affect the actor’s career and the success of the movie. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
A New York judge on Friday upheld President-elect Donald J. Trump’s criminal conviction but signaled that he was inclined to spare him any punishment, a striking development in a case that had spotlighted an array of embarrassing misdeeds and imperiled the former and future president’s freedom.
The judge, Juan M. Merchan, indicated that he favored a so-called unconditional discharge of Mr. Trump’s sentence, a rare and lenient alternative to jail or probation. He set a sentencing date of Jan. 10, and ordered Mr. Trump to appear either in person or virtually.
An unconditional discharge would cement Mr. Trump’s status as a felon just weeks before his inauguration — he would be the first to carry that dubious designation into the presidency — even as it would water down the consequences for his crimes.
Unlike a conditional discharge, which allows defendants to walk free if they meet certain requirements, such as maintaining employment or paying restitution, an unconditional discharge would come without strings attached.
Mr. Trump, who is now expected to ask an appeals court to intervene and postpone the sentencing, faces up to four years in prison. A Manhattan jury convicted him in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records, concluding that he had sought to cover up a sex scandal that threatened to derail his 2016 campaign for president.
Justice Merchan declined on Friday to overturn the jury’s verdict, rebuffing Mr. Trump’s claim that his election victory should nullify his conviction. And last month, the same judge rejected another argument Mr. Trump had mounted in hopes of getting the case dismissed: that his conviction had violated a recent Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity for their official actions.
Together, Justice Merchan’s two rulings picked apart Mr. Trump’s legal maneuvers, upholding the first criminal conviction of an American president and denying him the opportunity to clear his record before returning to the White House.
“To dismiss the indictment and set aside the jury verdict would not serve the concerns set forth by the Supreme Court in its handful of cases addressing presidential immunity nor would it serve the rule of law,” Justice Merchan wrote in an 18-page decision released Friday. “On the contrary, such decision would undermine the rule of law in immeasurable ways.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
In a surprising turn of events, a federal judge has upheld former President Donald Trump’s conviction for inciting the January 6th Capitol riot. However, in a move that has caught many by surprise, the judge has signaled a plan to spare Trump from serving any jail time.
This decision comes after a lengthy trial that saw Trump accused of encouraging his supporters to storm the Capitol in a bid to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The judge’s ruling sends a clear message that no one, not even a former president, is above the law.
While many had hoped to see Trump face the consequences of his actions, the judge’s decision to spare him from jail time has sparked controversy. Some argue that Trump should be held accountable for his role in inciting the riot, while others believe that a conviction alone is enough to send a message.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, one thing is clear: the fallout from the Capitol riot continues to reverberate through the halls of power. As Trump’s legal team prepares to appeal the ruling, the nation braces for what promises to be a contentious and divisive battle over the future of American democracy.
Before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House he will return to the courthouse, a New York judge ruled Friday.
Justice Juan Merchan will sentence Trump for his crimes on Jan. 10, a court proceeding that will be unlike any in America’s 248 years. Trump’s conviction in New York stemmed from a $130,000 so-called “hush money” payment his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election.
Justice Juan Merchan’s ruling ends two months of speculation — and back and forth jockeying by Trump’s attorneys and prosecutors for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg — following Trump’s narrow election victory on Nov. 5.
Trump became the first former president ever convicted of crimes in May, when a unanimous jury found him guilty in the New York case. Sentencing in the case was stalled for months as Trump campaigned for a return to the presidency. In November, he became the first person voted into the White House after a criminal conviction.
The president-elect had argued in a motion to dismiss that his ascension to the White House mandated his conviction be vacated. Merchan said Friday that it did not.
“This court finds that neither the vacatur of the jury’s verdicts nor dismissal of the indictment are required by the Presidential immunity doctrine, the Presidential Transition Act or the Supremacy Clause,” Merchan wrote in his order Friday.
Merchan indicated in his ruling that Trump will not be sentenced to serve time behind bars. He wrote that prosecutors agree with this decision. He also said that Trump may appear virtually, rather than in person for the sentencing.
“It seems proper at this juncture to make known the court’s inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration, a sentence authorized by the conviction but one the (prosecutors) concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation,” Merchan wrote.
Trump’s lawyers claimed the constitutional demands on a president-elect “superseded” the jury’s decision and ongoing proceedings in the case.
Bragg’s office argued that the judge had a range of options, including “novel” ones to balance the interests of justice with the unprecedented circumstance of a convicted defendant being elected to the presidency before sentencing. Their suggestions included postponing proceedings until after Trump’s term in office, and even terminating the case and its proceedings with a note that the verdict had not been set aside.
Trump’s conviction carried with it the potential for up to four years in jail, but also a wide range of alternatives to incarceration, including probation and fines.
Merchan’s decision is the latest in a string of historical firsts set by the case. Trump’s indictment in March 2023 made him the first former president in U.S. history to be criminally charged. He was subject to a seven-week trial this spring, which took place during the Republican presidential primaries.
Inside the courtroom, Trump grumbled quietly, but often leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed as prosecutors and lawyers questioned more than 20 witnesses. At times his head drooped down, as he apparently dozed off. In the hallway just outside the courtroom — surrounded by a rotating posse of Republican allies, lawyers and Secret Service agents — Trump seethed about the case while campaigning to a gaggle of press cameras.
At times, his dual commitments to the court and the cameras caused trouble. Merchan held Trump in contempt 10 times for violating a gag order prohibiting public statements about potential jurors, witnesses and others.
Witnesses, beginning with former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, described two schemes at the core of the case. The first was a plan hatched by Trump, Pecker and former attorney Michael Cohen to “catch” stories or allegations that might hurt Trump’s 2016 presidential candidacy and “kill” them by paying people in exchange for nondisclosure agreements. Pecker and others described three such arrangements, known as “hush money” payments.
Days before the election, Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels — also a witness in the trial — in exchange for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. He and another witness described Trump’s relief that voters didn’t learn of the story before the election.
Cohen also described an arrangement in which he was covertly reimbursed for the payment to Daniels. The jury concluded Trump, while president in 2017, authorized a scheme to falsify business records in order to conceal Cohen’s repayment. That scheme ultimately included 34 falsified records connected to monthly installments portrayed as payments for ongoing legal services, when they were in fact Cohen’s reimbursements for the Daniels payoff.
The jury took less than two days to reach its verdict. Trump, who had frequently stared at the jury of his peers during the trial, would not make eye contact with them as his sentence was pronounced.
He looked straight ahead as the jury’s foreperson pronounced Trump guilty 34 times, and as Merchan thanked the jury for their service before allowing them to file out of the room.
After Merchan himself stepped out, Trump rose, frowning deeply, and briefly grasped his son Eric’s hand.
Trump led his entourage out of the courtroom, huddled for a moment with his lawyers, and then turned to address the cameras awaiting his reaction.
He proclaimed his innocence, raged against the case and returned to his campaign for president.
Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering criminal justice, privacy issues and information security for CBS News Digital. Contact Graham at KatesG@cbsnews.com or grahamkates@protonmail.com
In a shocking turn of events, former President Donald Trump is set to be sentenced for his conviction in a New York “hush money” case before Joe Biden’s inauguration. This case, which dates back to Trump’s time in office, involves allegations that he paid off adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair they had.
The sentencing comes after a lengthy legal battle, with Trump consistently denying any wrongdoing. However, the evidence against him was overwhelming, leading to his conviction on charges of campaign finance violations and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Many are speculating about what this could mean for Trump’s political future, as well as the implications for other ongoing legal battles he faces. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that this latest development will only add to the controversy surrounding the former president. Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold.
A federal court of appeals has overturned the rape conviction of former 49er Dana Stubblefield.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A federal court of appeals has overturned the rape conviction of former 49er Dana Stubblefield.
Stubblefield was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of raping a woman who was interviewing for a babysitting job in 2015.
In a shocking turn of events, former San Francisco 49ers star Dana Stubblefield’s rape conviction has been overturned by a California federal appeals court. The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction, leading to Stubblefield’s release from prison.
Stubblefield, who was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1997, was convicted in 2020 of raping a developmentally disabled woman in his home. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, but has now been cleared of all charges.
The decision to overturn Stubblefield’s conviction has sparked controversy and outrage, with many questioning the justice system’s handling of the case. Some believe that Stubblefield’s celebrity status played a role in the outcome, while others argue that the evidence against him was simply not strong enough to sustain a conviction.
Regardless of the reasons behind the court’s decision, one thing is clear: the case has reignited conversations about sexual assault, consent, and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. While Stubblefield may have been cleared of criminal charges, the impact of his actions on the victim and society as a whole cannot be ignored.
As the fallout from this case continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the debate over justice, accountability, and the role of athletes in society is far from over.
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The attorney for former San Francisco 49er Dana Stubblefield on Thursday said the Santa Clara County 6th District Court of Appeals has thrown out his 2020 rape conviction.
Stubblefield, who played defensive lineman for both the 49ers and the Oakland Raiders, was convicted in July of 2020 of rape by force, oral copulation by force and false imprisonment of a 34-year-old disabled woman at gunpoint. Stubblefield was accused of committing the crime in 2015 at his Morgan Hill home. He was found not guilty of rape and oral copulation of a person incapable of giving consent.
Defense attorneys argued the jury did not get all the information available in the case and there were racial undertones to arguments made by the prosecution.
“It was a consensual encounter. She was a paid for sex worker and that is what brought about this encounter. We knew if the jury heard all of the info they would have come to the same conclusion,” said Stubblefield’s trial lawyer Allen Sawyer. “A lot of the evidence was withheld and the context of the argument the appellate court felt was racially motivated against Mr. Stubblefield.”
Sawyer said the defense team will be asking for their client to be released from prison as soon as next week.
It will be up to the Santa Clara County District Attorney to decide about a retrial. When asked for comment on the case Thursday afternoon, the district attorney’s office responded that they are studying the court’s opinion.
Stubblefield started his 11-year career in the NFL with the 49ers in 1993 after being selected in the first round. He won the award as the league’s defensive rookie of the year in his first season, anchored the defense on the team that won Super Bowl XXIX in 1995 against the San Diego Chargers.
He later won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997 before leaving the team to play for Washington. He would return to the Bay Area to finish his career, playing with the 49ers in 2000-01 and the Raiders in 2003.
Dave Pehling is website managing editor for CBS Bay Area. He started his journalism career doing freelance writing about music in the late 1990s, eventually working as a web writer, editor and producer for KTVU.com in 2003. He began his role with CBS Bay Area in 2015.
Former San Francisco 49ers player Dana Stubblefield’s attorney announced today that the appeals court has thrown out his 2020 rape conviction. This comes as a major victory for Stubblefield, who has maintained his innocence since being convicted three years ago.
The court’s decision to overturn the conviction is a significant development in Stubblefield’s case, as it means that he will no longer have to serve the 15-year-to-life sentence that was handed down to him in 2020. Stubblefield’s attorney expressed relief and gratitude for the court’s decision, stating that they have always believed in his innocence and are pleased that justice has finally been served.
Stubblefield, a former NFL defensive lineman, was accused of raping a developmentally disabled woman in 2015. He has consistently denied the allegations and has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. The appeals court’s decision to throw out his conviction is a major victory for Stubblefield and his legal team, who have fought tirelessly to clear his name.
As Stubblefield moves forward from this chapter of his life, he can do so with the knowledge that the court has recognized his innocence and overturned his wrongful conviction. This decision brings a sense of closure to a long and difficult legal battle, and allows Stubblefield to focus on rebuilding his life and moving forward from this challenging time.
