Friday brought more clarity on the Deshaun Watson case. The accusers who have alleged the Texans quarterback committed sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct will be identified.
Going into Friday, two of Watson’s 22 accusers had identified themselves. As of Friday morning, nine of the accusers were willing to reveal their identities. Houston courts ruled Watson’s accusers must identify themselves to proceed with civil cases, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes. By Friday’s end, at least 14 of the accusers will be revealed, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports. The attorney representing the accusers, Tony Buzbee, said after Friday’s hearing all of his clients who have accused Watson are prepared to be identified.
Additionally, Watson attorney Rusty Hardin said Friday sexual encounters did take place between his client and some of the massage therapists accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. Hardin, however, contends all of those encounters were consensual. He declined to specify how many masseuses with whom Watson engaged in sexual acts.
The 22 accusers’ suits will also be consolidated into one, according to Rapoport (video link). This only applies to the civil suits Watson is facing. The Houston Police Department began an investigation into Watson last week, which will be separate from the civil process. The NFL is investigating Watson as well.
Good
Why good? You need to know their identity? I’m sure the predator already knows them
We dont need to know their identity. But watson and his lawyers should have the ability to look into whos making allegations against him.
Names shouldnt be public knowledge but the accused and their lawyers should be made aware of such.
Lol you don’t think they know? This is intimidation and victim shaming
No it isn’t. It is a principle of American law and common law for centuries to have the right to see your accuser. It is a fundamental part of a fair and balanced justice system.
He hired them, they’re the ones that were not part of the 18 or so that said he didn’t do anything appropriate to them. He certainly should know who he hired. To initially deny the claims then come back and say it was all consensual further cements he must know exactly who his accusers are; and then to say he hired them and had sex with them sounds like prostitution.
No real reason that they could not identify them only in a sealed manner. No real reason alleged sexual assault victims have to be public.
I’m not a legal expert.
How does someone file a civil suit without letting the defense know who the accuser is? I’m assuming you have to at some point, no?
sealed versus public
Not in Texas. Civil suits are public record.
Watson, Wilson, & Rodgers will be on new teams next off season.
Watson won’t play for anyone if this is found to be true. When it was 1 or 2 , okay … then 5 or 6 and you raise eyebrows , 22 – holy smokes. He’s toast. What city is going to bring him in … that would be a PR nightmare.
Unless every single one of these claims is proven to be false I’m also fairly positive his career in the nfl is over, 1 or 2 being true leads the public to believe all were true, what father is bringing their son to an nfl game like “yep that’s our rapist quarterback” I know I would never want him on the bears, alleged weirdo creep needs to go to jail if these claims hold water, every day it seems more likely they do
I highly doubt his career is over. That level of talent especially at that position someone somewhere will give him a second chance. I could see him miss a year or two but if he goes to counseling or whatever is deemed necessary he will get another shot. Greg hardy, josh Gordon, Aldon smith, Kareem hunt, etc. have all shown us if you’ve got enough talent someone will give you a second run and none of them even play quarter back.
I actually disagree, there’s a college pitcher named Like Heimlich that would’ve been a top 5 pick, but someone in the govt leaked a sealed juvenile case of his where he settled & “admitted” he was a pedo apparently. That one is in even more doubt as this due to the circumstances (apparently his family & lawyer told him to file a guilty plea to resolve it quickly; the entire case was between warring family members & the defense of course thought that juvenile cases are not public). Don’t read this as saying he’s not a pedo, just saying it’s all extremely odd & trying to offer a recent comparison.
That guy went undrafted & had a hard time even finding an international league willing to sign him. Prize arm.
As others have stated, it’s more to do with perceived harm to the team’s reputation than it is whether it’s true or not.
Well that certainly is a comment and a half
That’s a different scenario entirely. Not saying it’s any better but Watson has already made it to peak of the sport and proved he is a top 5-10 player at his position.
@parx: “what father is bringing their son to an nfl game like “yep that’s our rapist quarterback””
Any Steelers fans want to field this one?
I thought this was the last article that would contain a comment that made my sides split, but then you came along.
I can’t imagine any way they would be able to PROVE that all 22 are false to begin with. He may be found not guilty, but they could never PROVE he was not guilty because there is no concrete proof either way. It’s “he said” vs. 22+ “she saids”.
His image is already tarnished beyond repair due to the simplicity of many peoples minds. If they hear an accusation of something like this, it’s gonna be burned into their brain like an MP3 regardless of the outcome. A lot of people who pay attention would indeed forget about these charges should he be found not guilty, but a huge number of others will always associate his name with being a sexual assaulter. Big Ben was never technically found guilty, but he still has a rep
Wait, so the accusers can’t hide behind lawyers anymore? God bless Texas, the only state in America that doesn’t allow someone to accuse a person of a crime and hide behind a legal blanket.
j_butte There’s very good reason why victims would want their identity hidden from the public in a case against a high profile person. Famous people tend to have hoards of rabid fans who will harass, threaten, and stalk the victim simply for speaking out against their idol.
It’s a real tactic the rich and famous can use to intimidate an average person into silence. You’re blind if you don’t see that’s exactly what Watson is going for here.
Rocket32 has a good point though. I could imagine a couple being harassed because he a fan favorite. Regardless if Watson set it up that way.
No kidding. You see that girl’s Instagram? People are freaking crazy.
Great points, Rocket.
This is a terrible, terrible decision by the state of Texas. There will be a some people, regardless of facts, that will harass these women because Watson is a star QB in the state of Texas, where this is taking place.
Congratulations are your recently established stupidity. Enjoy it, it’s likely to be with you forever.
Please read your post, then look up the word “irony.”
I’m curious as to the extent of your research regarding the assertion that Texas is “the only state in America that doesn’t allow someone to accuse a person of a crime and hide behind a legal blanket.”
It could be because we’re raised to think that we are the ONLY state in America from birth. Yeah, I know….
It’s just a habit he hasn’t broken yet.
I’d want my identity hidden too based on people like you making comments on this site. You are looking to treat them as the criminal.
Your treating as if everything is true. In your eyes he guilty. But what’s that saying innocent til proven guilty. With that be say I’m not taking anybody side. Cause I really don’t know what happen. If he did it he need to be lock up for a while but if he didn’t those girls need to be charged to.
oh how the turntables
Lol
And the microphone?
Pretty much every low-life that thinks Watson walks on water will now be harassing these people.
Exactly, that’s the only reason people want to know who they are. Watson already knows who they are
Without passing judgement on the guilt or innocence of Watson (although I’m certainly leaning one way at this point), I must say that Rusty Hardin and defense attorneys like him are the absolute scum of the earth. There are no limits to what they will say or do to get their client off and put the accuser through living hell just for a paycheck, even if they KNOW their client is guilty. As the comment below mentions, first Hardin vehemently denied ANYTHING happened, and now he says “well, stuff happened but it was consensual”??? So he engaged in prostitution then?
They’ll use any little trick, technicality, or outright lie to keep criminals out on the street and destroying other peoples’ lives. It’s because of people like Rusty Hardin that I really hope that a place like hell truly exists…and that he enjoys his well-deserved stay there.
Well now Watson’s lawyer is saying that yes stuff happened, but it was mutually desired, he did it
For real. Didn’t they initially vehemently deny everything? Now it’s ‘yeah, it happened but it was consensual’. Give me a break.
So if Watson is claiming that these massages included consensual sexual favors, wouldn’t he be guilty of participating in prostitution…similar to Robert Kraft a few years a few years ago? Basically paying for sex with the massage as a front? Not sure that making this claim was a real brilliant move by Hardin and Watson…
I would assume there is some physical evidence forcing their hand. Could be video, or maybe one(or more) of the girls is pregnant. I’d say they are backed into a corner and they’re choosing the lesser of bad options.
Also, I’m surprised the site is allowing comments on this topic.
You’re right, it’s odd the people they pick and choose to remain exempt of comments to how much of a scumbag they are.
Well, I guess the Texans should have traded him?
Basically just admitted to this by saying he had some consensual encounters.
Lots of great legal minds in the comments section…