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Druckenmiller trial begins

Jury nearly complete in rape case against 49ers QB

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Posted: Tuesday July 20, 1999 01:10 AM

The prosecution believes Jim Druckenmiller could get favorable treatment from the jury. Otto Greule Jr./Allsport

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Opening statements are expected Tuesday in the rape trial of San Francisco 49ers reserve quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, who faces five years to life in prison if convicted.

A 13-member panel of jurors and alternates -- 10 men and three women -- was chosen Monday to hear the case. Druckenmiller, accompanied to court by his parents, who live in Northampton, Pa., declined to comment.

Druckenmiller, 26, is accused of forcing sex on a Virginia Tech student who passed out in a bed at a Blacksburg party in March, while Druckenmiller was on a visit to his alma mater. The woman said she awoke to find the 6-foot-4, 240-pound football player on top of her.

During jury selection, four potential jurors were dismissed because they are either Virginia Tech students or work at the university. Others who were excused included a man who has friends who know Druckenmiller, a man who knew a police officer involved in the investigation and two people who said they already knew how they would vote on a verdict.

Most of those questioned had heard about the much-publicized case.

On July 9, Circuit Judge Ray W. Grubbs denied a prosecutor's request to move the trial out of Montgomery County. The prosecution had argued that it would be difficult to seat an impartial jury because Druckenmiller is still widely admired in the community.

Tech had a 20-4 record when he was the starting quarterback, including a 28-10 Sugar Bowl victory over Texas in 1995.

Druckenmiller, who is to report to training camp in a week, was the 49ers' top pick and the 26th selection overall in the 1997 draft.

As a rookie, he 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, Druckenmiller did not throw a pass, and Ty Detmer became the No. 2 quarterback behind Steve Young.

 

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