Prosecutor: Ex-NFLer ‘took what he wanted’

VISTA, Calif. — Kellen Winslow Jr., the son of a pro football star, who himself earned over $40 million in an injury-plagued NFL career, “took what he wanted,” including raping a 54year-old hitchhiker and a 59-year-old homeless woman, prosecutors said Monday.

Meanwhile defense lawyers argued the sex was consensual and asked jurors not to judge the married father for his “cheating ways.”

Winslow, 35, did not show any emotion during opening statements at his trial in Southern California as his father, a former star with the San Diego Chargers, sat behind him in the courtroom. The elder Winslow did not react as the accusations were discussed.

The younger Winslow also is charged with raping a 17-year-old girl when he was in college.

“Mr. Winslow, the defendant in this case, has been given much but it was not enough,” prosecutor Dan Owens told the jury. “He took what he wanted.”

Winslow has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts and could face life in prison if convicted.

His attorney, Brian Watkins, urged jurors not to be swayed by public opinion and to look at the evidence or “lack of it.”

Winslow has never hidden that he had consensual sexual relations with the women, the lawyer said. He also disputed the prosecution’s account that the women did not know Winslow was a former football player.

Watkins said Winslow was repeatedly unfaithful to his wife, but the sex was consensual. He asked jurors not to judge his cheating.

“It’s wrong. It’s immoral, but it is not illegal,” Watkins said.