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Home territory Judge declines to move rape trial of 49ers' Druckenmiller
Posted: Friday July 09, 1999 07:07 PM
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (AP) -- A judge denied a prosecutor's request Friday to move the rape trial of San Francisco 49ers reserve quarterback Jim Druckenmiller out of the community where he was a Virginia Tech football hero. Druckenmiller will stand trial July 19 in Montgomery County Circuit Court, one week before he is scheduled to report to the 49ers training camp, Judge Ray W. Grubbs ruled. Druckenmiller is accused of forcing sex upon a Virginia Tech student who passed out in a bed at a party in nearby Blacksburg in March. The woman said she awoke to find the 6-foot-4 1/2, 240-pound football player on top of her. Druckenmiller could face five years to life in prison if convicted of rape. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Peggy Frank told Grubb the trial should be moved because Druckenmiller is still widely admired in Montgomery County, where he starred for Virginia Tech. He was 20-4 as a starting quarterback, including a 28-10 Sugar Bowl victory over Texas in 1995. "I believe we are as entitled to a fair trial as much as Mr. Druckenmiller," Ms. Frank said. Grubb said he would begin jury selection as scheduled and consider moving the trial if he has trouble seating an impartial jury. The judge said the motion to move the trial was highly unusual for prosecutors, at least in Montgomery County. "I do believe this is a first," Grubb said. Such requests are usually made by defense attorneys. Druckenmiller sat expressionless during the brief hearing with his attorney, Deborah Caldwell-Bono of Roanoke. He refused to answer reporters' questions. Ms. Caldwell-Bono has said Druckenmiller's accuser aggressively pursued him and that the sex was consensual. Druckenmiller was the 49ers top pick and the 26th selection overall in the 1997 draft as the top backup to Steve Young. Coach Steve Mariucci called him the team's quarterback of the future, but he has played little. As a rookie, Druckenmiller played in four games, one as a starter, and completed 21 of 52 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. But he also threw three interceptions, two inside the opponent's 20 yard line. Last season, he did not throw a pass, and Ty Detmer became the No. 2 quarterback behind Young. The 49ers open training camp July 26.
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