(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The former girlfriend of Reuben Foster testified at a preliminary hearing Thursday that she lied to police when she said the San Francisco 49ers linebacker attacked her, allegations that led to a domestic violence case against him.
Elissa Ennis testified she lied because she wanted retribution after Foster tried to end their relationship, saying she was angry “and I wanted to end him.” When asked by prosecutor Kevin Smith if Foster ever hit her, Ennis replied, “No, sir. Not once.”
Foster was arrested after Ennis told police he dragged her by her hair, physically threw her out of their house, and punched her in the head eight to 10 times in February. He has been charged with domestic violence with an allegation that he inflicted great bodily injury, forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime, and possession of an assault weapon. Foster pleaded not guilty last week.
Ennis subsequently issued a statement through her attorney saying her injuries, including a ruptured eardrum, were the result of a fight with another woman.
“I was threatening Reuben … that I was going to f— up his career,” she said according to Bay Area News reporter Cam Inman, who added Ennis said she dialed 911 three times because “I wanted to be extra. I wanted him to go down. I was pissed.”
Additionally, Ennis said rather than Reuben harming her, she harmed him by hitting the 24-year-old in the face with a hanger. NBC Bay Area reported Ennis’ injuries actually came from a 15-minute fight she got into after getting her hair done near Oakland, Calif.
A 22-second video clip of that fight was presented as evidence in the case.
When recalling the moment Foster ended their relationship, Ennis began sobbing, Inman reported.
“I told him I’m going to f— your s— up and make sure you don’t have a job tomorrow,” Ennis said adding, “It was all a money scheme. I didn’t want to get this far in the news.
“It was about money,” she said, noting she initially wanted to sue Foster.
Prosecutors have said they will continue to pursue the case even if Ennis does not cooperate with the investigation. The prosecution said Ennis’ testimony couldn’t be trusted given inconsistencies throughout.
Judge Nona Klippen said she will rule Wednesday on whether the case should continue to trial.
Ennis, who testified against the advice of her attorney, said in court Thursday that she wanted to testify to “do the right thing.”
Ennis also testified that she stole more than $8,000 in cash from Foster, two Rolex watches and designer clothing.
During a cross-examination by Foster’s attorney Joshua Bentley, Ennis said she went to jail in 2011 for falsely accusing an ex-boyfriend of domestic violence.
If convicted of all charges, Foster could face up to 11 years in prison. Foster remains a member of the 49ers although the team hasn’t allowed him to participate in the offseason program while his case is ongoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
