Ex-49er Ray McDonald Pleads Not Guilty To Rape, Violating Restraining Order
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Former San Francisco 49er Ray McDonald pleaded not guilty Friday to charges in an alleged sexual assault at his San Jose home last year and violating a restraining order.
McDonald, 31, entered the plea during his arraignment after he was indicted by a grand jury last month on charges of raping an intoxicated woman and violating a protective order.
He faces eight years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.
Judge Shelyna Brown also ordered the grand jury transcripts temporarily sealed.
McDonald appeared in a dark-colored pinstriped suit with his attorney Josh Bentley and was scheduled for a jury trial on Jan. 25.
McDonald left the Hall of Justice in San Jose this afternoon in a black GMC Suburban waiting for him on the street.
McDonald and current 49er linebacker Ahmad Brooks, 31, were indicted last month by a Santa Clara County grand jury in the alleged sexual assault of an intoxicated woman Dec. 15, 2014 at McDonald's home at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club.
Brooks is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on the charges and faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail.
The woman filed a civil complaint earlier this year on the December incident.
McDonald met the woman while he was with friends at the Willow Den bar on Dec. 13 and went back to his home, where they continued to drink, according to the complaint.
She was knocked unconscious when she slipped on a poorly maintained deck, according to the complaint.
While she was unconscious, Brooks allegedly groped her in a sexual manner, which was later seen in video footage from a surveillance system, the complaint states.
McDonald allegedly took her to his bedroom where he had sex with her without her permission and while she was semi-conscious, according to the complaint.
McDonald attempted to sue the woman who he claims consented to the sexual act and was alert during the contact.
On May 25, McDonald was also arrested for allegedly assaulting his former fiancée while she held their baby but posted bail that same day, prosecutors said.
Two days later, he was arrested for allegedly violating a restraining order, which was charged with in last month's indictment, according to prosecutors.
In August 2014, McDonald was arrested in an alleged domestic violence dispute with the ex-fiancée who was pregnant at the time, but was not charged because there wasn't enough evidence, prosecutors said.
McDonald was a defensive lineman with the 49ers until December when the sexual assault allegations came to light.
He signed with the Chicago Bears for a one-year deal, but was cut from the team in May when he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
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