Ex-NFL star Kellen Winslow II loses bid to have prison sentence reduced
The former Cleveland Browns tight end had cited brain injuries from football in his attempt to have his prison sentence reduced by two years.
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Former Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow II has been denied again in his attempt to have his 14-year prison sentence reduced under new criminal justice reform laws.
The California Court of Appeal this time rejected his habeas corpus petition and said that Winslow’s claims are procedurally barred because he could have raised his claims on direct appeal several years ago but did not.
“A defendant cannot raise claims via a habeas corpus writ petition that could have been raised on direct appeal,” said the order denying Winslow’s petition.
Winslow, 41, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in March 2021 after being convicted of sex crimes against five women in San Diego County, including the rape of a woman who was unconscious in 2003 and the rape of a homeless woman in 2018. The former NFL first-round draft pick agreed to the sentence in a plea deal but since has sought to be resentenced under criminal justice reform laws that passed after his sentencing in 2021.
Winslow's attorney told USA TODAY Sports he next will present his petition to the California Supreme Court.