Almost a yr after allegations of sexual misconduct towards Deshaun Watson had been first publicized, a number of ladies who filed felony complaints towards him have been subpoenaed to look earlier than a grand jury on Friday, in line with their lawyer, Tony Buzbee.
Ten ladies filed felony complaints towards Watson, the Houston Texans quarterback, final yr, accusing him of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage periods, in line with Houston police data. The complaints launched to the general public had been closely redacted however listed acts starting from Watson exposing himself, touching therapists’ arms along with his penis and ejaculating on them. Three of the complaints allege sexual assault or tried sexual assault, outlined in Texas as nonconsensual penetration. Prosecutors are anticipated to current at the least a few of these circumstances to the grand jury, which can determine if felony prices shall be introduced towards Watson.
Search warrants issued in October in reference to the Houston police investigation, searching for entry to the social media and Money App accounts police mentioned Watson used to guide and pay for massages, named indecent assault because the crime being investigated. Indecent assault is a category A misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by as much as one yr in jail and a most high quality of $4,000, whereas sexual assault is a second-degree felony.
Watson has denied any wrongdoing, and it’s doable the grand jury will determine to not indict him for any crime. Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lawyer, mentioned on Tuesday that he was “delighted” that the grand jury was going to satisfy as a result of these issues have been looming over Watson for a lot too lengthy already. He’s hoping that the grand jury will decide about Watson on Friday.
“The free company time is across the nook and we’ve needed this determination to be made by then and it seems to be like they’re going to and I’m welcoming it,” Hardin mentioned in a phone interview.
“There’s by no means been any crime right here, regardless of in the event you name it indecent assault or anything,” he mentioned. “These are civil issues that belong within the civil courts.”
The district lawyer’s workplace for Harris County, which incorporates Houston, didn’t instantly return messages searching for remark.
The identical day as grand jury proceedings seem set to start, Watson shall be questioned underneath oath for a few of the 22 civil fits towards him, Buzbee mentioned. Eight of the ten ladies who filed felony complaints even have a pending civil swimsuit, however Watson won’t but be deposed in these circumstances. Hardin sought to delay Watson’s deposition till after April 1. However a decide dominated final month that depositions of Watson may start for 9 of the civil circumstances during which the plaintiffs have already given their depositions and didn’t file felony complaints.
Hardin mentioned the deposition of Watson on Friday shall be “a nugatory train” as a result of he’ll advise Watson to say his Fifth Modification proper to not incriminate himself.
“We’re not going to reply questions till the grand jury is accomplished,” he mentioned.
Ashley Solis, a 28-year-old licensed therapeutic massage therapist, filed the primary civil swimsuit towards Watson final spring, saying that he purposely touched her hand along with his erect and uncovered penis throughout a March 30, 2020, therapeutic massage appointment at her house. She filed a police report in early April 2021. As a result of the statute of limitations for misdemeanor circumstances in Texas is 2 years from the date the offense came about, the deadline for bringing prices towards Watson in reference to Solis’s case is the top of this month.
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Of the ten felony complaints filed with Houston police, one has already handed the statute of limitations, an account of indecent assault from 2019. One other came about outdoors Harris County and can be in a special prosecutor’s jurisdiction.
Complainants who obtain a subpoena don’t know if the prosecutor shall be presenting their case to the grand jury or if they’re being known as in as a witness for different circumstances. Buzbee mentioned he knew of at the least six of his purchasers who acquired a subpoena.
Watson has not performed in an N.F.L. recreation since January 2021. He was eligible to play throughout the 2021 season however sat out as he sought a commerce from the Texans.
