A grand jury on Friday declined to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson following a police investigation sparked by lawsuits filed by 22 ladies who've accused him of harassment or sexual assault.
The grand jury's determination got here a couple of yr after the ladies first filed their fits, accusing Watson of exposing himself, touching them together with his penis or kissing them in opposition to their will throughout therapeutic massage appointments. One girl alleged Watson compelled her to carry out oral intercourse.
Eight of the ladies who sued Watson filed legal complaints in opposition to him with Houston police and appeared earlier than the grand jury. Two different ladies who did not sue Watson additionally filed police complaints. The FBI additionally had been reviewing the allegations.
Watson and his legal professionals have denied the accusations. His legal professionals have stated "some sexual exercise" occurred throughout a number of the therapeutic massage appointments however that he by no means coerced anybody. They've sought to steadiness their protection of the NFL star whereas concurrently condemning sexual violence in opposition to ladies.
Watson's attorneys have referred to as the lawsuits in opposition to him a "cash seize" and claimed that each one 22 ladies who filed fits are mendacity — a method some consultants and advocates say depends on long-used tropes designed to reduce such accusations. The 22 ladies are being represented by Tony Buzbee, who has stated a few of his shoppers have confronted criticism and even dying threats.
Even earlier than the lawsuits had been filed in March 2021, Watson had requested to be traded. The commerce request and the lawsuits saved Watson out all final season. The Texans had been anticipated to attempt to commerce Watson this offseason.
The civil case in opposition to Watson will proceed as attorneys for the 22 ladies have begun questioning him throughout depositions which might be a part of the lawsuits. A lot of the ladies have already been deposed by Watson's attorneys. No trial date has been set for the lawsuits.