Kellen Winslow II, a former NFL player, fails his attempt to have his jail term lowered.
Kellen Winslow II, a former NFL tight end and son of Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow, has been denied a reduction in his 14-year prison sentence by the California Court of Appeal. Winslow’s legal team had filed a habeas corpus petition, seeking a sentence reduction based on recent criminal justice reforms in California. However, the court rejected the petition, stating that Winslow’s claims were procedurally barred.
Winslow’s legal troubles began in 2018 when he was arrested and subsequently charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and other related crimes. In 2019, he was convicted of rape, lewd conduct in public, and indecent exposure. Facing a retrial on additional charges, Winslow accepted a plea deal in November 2019, pleading guilty to the rape of an unconscious teen and sexual battery of a 54-year-old hitchhiker. This plea agreement led to his 14-year prison sentence, which was finalized in March 2021.
In his recent bid for a sentence reduction, Winslow’s attorneys cited new criminal justice laws in California aimed at reducing sentences for certain offenses. Despite these arguments, the appellate court found that Winslow’s claims did not meet the necessary criteria for reconsideration, leading to the denial of his petition.
Winslow’s case has been a significant fall from grace for the former athlete, who was once a prominent figure in professional football. Drafted sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2004, Winslow’s NFL career included stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, and New York Jets. His promising career was overshadowed by his criminal actions, leading to his current incarceration.
