Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Domestic violence charges against 49ers LB Reuben Foster dropped
May 23, 2018 at 3:52 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Judge Nona Klippen ruled on Wednesday that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the domestic violence case against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster.
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. The judge dropped the former two charges while reducing the weapon charge to a misdemeanor. The pretrial date for that charge is set for June 6.
Safeties Jaquiski Tartt and Adrian Colbert were at the courthouse in Santa Clara on Wednesday as a show of support for their teammate. With the domestic violence charges dropped, Foster is free to rejoin the 49ers. He has
not taken part in team activities since the
charges were announced on April 12.
"The organization is aware the domestic violence charges against Reuben Foster were dismissed earlier today," 49ers general manager John Lynch said
via a statement issued to the media. "As a result, he will have the opportunity to rejoin the team tomorrow. It has been made clear to Reuben that his place on this team is one that must continue to be earned. We will continue to monitor the remaining misdemeanor charge."
The development doesn't necessarily mean that Foster has escaped discipline from the NFL. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network
reported on May 15 that the league is still likely to launch its own investigation with the weapon charge and the arrest in January for second-degree marijuana possession still unresolved.
"Even if he is able to avoid any legal situation, if he doesn't serve any time legally ... there's still going to be an NFL investigation, " Garafolo said. "The league might have their say on this one as well."
"We continue to monitor all developments in the matter, which remains under review," said an NFL spokesman via
Bay Area News Group after the charges were dropped on Wednesday.
The prosecution's case against Foster took a devastating turn last week when Elissa Ennis, the ex-girlfriend of the linebacker, testified that her initial accusations were all lies. Those accusations were the basis of the Santa Clara DA's case against the NFL star.
Ennis admitted on the record that she wanted to ruin Foster's career after he broke up with her and that, in 2011, she went to jail for falsely accusing another former boyfriend of domestic violence after he ended the relationship. She vowed to seek professional help.
"I told [Reuben], 'I'm going to f--k your s--t up,'"
Ennis said.
Foster was arrested on February 11 as a result of Ennis' accusations. While she 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. Ennis' new version of what transpired included a physical
fight with another woman (or multiple women, depending on the report). Foster attempted to end their relationship after the altercation and Ennis said she had video evidence that would clear Foster's name of the domestic violence charges.
"I wanted to sue Reuben," Ennis said. "It was all a money scheme."
Ennis stated that Foster never struck her.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I really am. I apologize to everybody."
The 49ers made Foster one of their two first-round selections in last year's draft. He was the team's highest-graded player last season, the highest-graded rookie linebacker, and the fourth highest-graded linebacker overall, according to Pro Football Focus. Foster registered 72 combined tackles with a pass defensed through 10 starts in 2017.
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers insider believes team may prefer WR Brandon Aiyuk play on fifth-year option
The San Francisco 49ers don't always do things like other NFL teams do. But they are consistent, for the most part. Seemingly every offseason, especially in recent years, a star player has wanted a new contract. From TE George Kittle and LB Fred Warner to WR Deebo Samuel and Edge Nick Bosa, the 49ers have given new contracts, but they have waited until late July-early August (and in Bosa's case—September) to do so, much to the chagrin of those players, who wanted their new deal sooner rather than later.
It may not have happened as soon as the players wanted it to, but it has happened. Kittle's contract talks reportedly weren't as smooth as he might have hoped, Samuel famously scrubbed his social media accounts of all things 49ers, and Bosa didn't sign until a few days
Ctrl+Z: 4 key decisions 49ers might "undo" if given the chance
No one is perfect. Each of us makes mistakes. I do for sure. Peruse your way through the many articles I've written for 49ers Webzone and you'll see plenty of mistakes. Whether it's a typo or some prediction I offered that didn't go as I had thought.
The San Francisco 49ers are no different. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have made their share of mistakes. Fortunately for all of us, they hit on more than they miss. But I wonder if we were able to catch them in a moment of complete transparency if they might admit to wanting to hit the Ctrl+Z and "undo" some moves.
I doubt they will admit to such mistakes anytime soon, but fear not—I'm here to do it for them. Yes, I could write on the best decisions
49ers express pre-draft interest in Oklahoma D-lineman Jonah Laulu
Justin Melo of The Draft Network reports that the San Francisco 49ers expressed interest in Jonah Laulu, meeting with the defensive lineman at Oklahoma's pro day on March 12.
Melo notes that Laulu is versatile enough to play defensive end or defensive tackle on an NFL defense, making him an intriguing prospect for the 49ers, who value players who can fill multiple roles.
.@OU_Football DL Jonah Laulu is versatile enough to play as a base DE or within the interior.Former Hawaii transfer, Laulu met with
Feldman Has 49ers Selecting an Offensive Tackle in the First Round
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic has released his first round mock draft, complete with insights from opposing college coaches about every prospect. Like many mock drafts, Feldman's has the Niners addressing the O-Line in the first round. Feldman thinks the Niners will select Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims with the No. 31 overall pick. Mims, a 6-foot-8, 340-pound junior, is a popular pick for the Niners in mock drafts,
