A decision on whether or not the case against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster goes to trial won't come until May 23, judge Nona Klippen said on Thursday.
BREAKING: Judge delays ruling by a week on domestic-violence charges against @49ers linebacker Reuben Foster after preliminary hearing highlighted by two hours of accuser testifying she lied about allegations and admitted to similar ploy against previous boyfriend @mercnews pic.twitter.com/WTJwKpPx8E
— Robert Salonga (@robertsalonga) May 17, 2018
Elissa Ennis, the ex-girlfriend of Foster, testified that the initial accusations against the 49ers linebacker, which were the basis of the Santa Clara DA's potential case against the NFL star, were all lies. She sat in the Santa Clara County Superior Court courtroom on Thursday and admitted that she wanted to ruin Foster's career after he tried to break up with her, had previously spent time in jail for a similar situation, and would seek professional help.
"I told him, 'I'm going to f--k your s--t up,'" Ennis said.
Foster was facing felony charges of domestic violence with an allegation that he inflicted great bodily injury, forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime, and possession of an assault weapon.
RELATED Reuben Foster's ex-girlfriend testifies: 'It was all a money scheme'
Ennis admitted that in 2011, she went to jail for accusing her then-boyfriend of domestic violence after he broke up with her. She went on to say that she plans to check herself into an unspecified clinic to get help.
#49ers Reuben Foster exits court. Due back May 23 pic.twitter.com/llRmyGKtCF
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) May 17, 2018
While Ennis initially told responding sheriff's deputies and Los Gatos police that her bruises and ruptured eardrum were a result of Foster hitting her several times, she changed her story on April 25 and was unable to recall the details of those allegations on Thursday.
"I don't recall," Ennis repeatedly said when asked about what she told authorities.
Ennis testified that Foster never struck her and she didn't believe the situation would escalate so far. "It was all a money scheme," she said after admitting that her initial plan was to sue the linebacker.
"I'm sorry," Ennis said. "I really am. I apologize to everybody."
Foster was arrested following the incident on February 11. The next day, he met with the 49ers, which included general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan. That meeting was enough to convince the 49ers not to take immediate action against the linebacker – a stance which drew public scrutiny.
Also damaging to the prosecution's case was a video reportedly showing where Ennis' injuries originated from. She claimed they were the result of a physical fight with two women and not with Foster.
