Former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. sported crutches and a knee brace as he briefly appeared in court Monday on allegations of sexual assault involving several women.
Winslow is accused of raping or attempting to rape at least four women over the age of 50 over a three-month span of time, according to court documents.
He was also charged with felony charges of forcible rape and rape of an unconscious woman in connection with a June 2003 incident.
A judge was set to hear evidence against Winslow, 35, on the latter charges Monday, but the former NFL pro's preliminary hearing was pushed until October 15 so he could recover from a surgery, a judge said.
Winslow wore a full knee brace and used crutches to walk into court alongside his wife Monday.
Winslow was first arrested on June 7 after a report of a possible burglary in Park Encinitas, a senior community located on North El Camino Real, east of Interstate 5 and north of Encinitas Boulevard.
Local
At the time, he faced first-degree burglary charges.
He was later accused of sexual assault, kidnapping and sodomy in connection with incidents dating back to March 17, according to the complaint.
Court documents revealed Winslow had entered the senior community on June 7. Prosecutors say Winslow intended to rape an 86-year-old woman who was sleeping inside her home.
The complaint alleges Winslow also raped a 54-year-old woman and a 59-year-old woman on March 17 and May 13, respectively, in his SUV.
One of the women accusing Winslow of rape testified that she was choked and told she would be killed if she screamed.
Three of the crimes occurred within a mile to 1.5 miles from Winslow's home, prosecutors established.
Jane Doe 1 was picked up 500 to 1,000 feet from Winslow's home on Lake Drive and raped less than 4,000 feet from the location of her pickup, a sheriff's detective testified.
The detective testified Jane Doe 2 was picked up on Vulcan Avenue and raped along Manchester Avenue.
A man exposed himself to Jane Doe 3 on Lake Drive on Birmingham, the official testified.
Winslow pleaded not guilty and was initially held without bail based on "clear and convincing" evidence he poses a threat to the community and is considered a flight risk.
The judge later set bail at $2 million.
If convicted on all counts, Winslow could be sentenced to life in prison.
Defense attorney Harvey A. Steinberg said Winslow looks forward to being vindicated.
Winslow, the son of former San Diego Chargers great Kellen Winslow Sr., grew up in San Diego and graduated from Scripps Ranch High School before playing his college football at the University of Miami.
His NFL career started with the Cleveland Browns in 2004 and included stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and New York Jets.
