The Coast News Group
Photo by Jacob Aere
CitiesCrimeCrimeEncinitasFeaturedNewsRegion

Kellen Winslow II rape trial begins

Above: Kellen Winslow II is accused of multiple felonies, including rape, kidnapping and indecent exposure. Photo by Jacob Aere

REGION — A Vista courtroom was at capacity for opening statements which began earlier this week in the rape trial of ex-NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II.

The defendant, a resident of Encinitas, faces life imprisonment if convicted of twelve charges related to allegations of rape, kidnapping and exposing himself to several women.

Winslow II, 35, was first charged with raping two women in Encinitas in early 2018, as well as exposing himself to a neighbor as she was gardening in her front yard.

The former Scripps Ranch football star is the son of former San Diego Chargers legend Kellen Winslow.

After the initial charges were filed, another woman came forward alleging that Winslow II raped her while she was unconscious in 2003 at a home in Scripps Ranch when she was 17. Winslow II was 19.

Defense attorney Brian Watkins said both Winslow II and the victim previously had consensual sex.

While out on a $2 million bail earlier this year, Winslow II was arrested again for allegedly exposing himself to a 77-year-old woman at Crunch Fitness in Carlsbad.

Bail was revoked following his arrest and he faces new misdemeanor charges of lewd conduct, elder abuse and battery of an elder.

Prosecuting attorney Dan Owens says the defendant “took what he wanted” and “victimized five women.”

Winslow II’s trial is expected to last into the middle of next month at the Vista courthouse.

The prosecution alleges that on March 17, 2018, Winslow II lured a 54-year-old hitchhiker into his Hummer for a ride, then raped her.

Prosecutors allege that on May 13, 2018, the defendant picked up a 58-year-old transient woman he had previously met and raped her near Manchester Boulevard.

Nearly two weeks after the incident, Winslow allegedly took his pants off in front of a woman attending to her garden in Cardiff.

Winslow II, who lives on the same street as the victim, showed up to her residence once before, introducing himself as “David.”

Defense Attorney Watkins says that Winslow II was an unfaithful husband. The defendant had been with his wife since they were 13, and he cheated on her “numerous” times during the relationship, said the defense.

Winslow II wasn’t proud of it, but he never denied it, said the attorney.

The lawyer said he wouldn’t dignify the actions by calling them affairs.

“Because they weren’t,” he said. “They were sex. No-strings-attached sex.”

Winslow II grew up in San Diego and attended Patrick Henry and Scripps Ranch high schools before heading to the University of Miami and later playing in the NFL for 9 years.

1 comment

Comments are closed.