A Brazoria County, Texas, grand jury did not charge Deshaun Watson in connection with a sexual assault allegation, the Houston Chronicle’s Brooks Kubena reports.
A separate grand jury from the Harris County, Texas, contingent was empaneled because of a 10th criminal complaint against the Browns quarterback. Although this accusation was separated from the nine criminal complaints that prompted a Harris County grand jury to convene, the Browns were aware of it upon trading for Watson, per the QB’s attorney. The previous grand jury also did not indict Watson.
The woman who made this accusation in April 2021 said Watson sexually assaulted and harassed her during a massage therapy session. This incident allegedly occurred in 2020, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. This closes the book on Watson criminal charges, but the complainant is one of the 22 women who have filed civil lawsuits against the 26-year-old quarterback.
The civil matters have yet to play out in full. The attorney for the 22 accusers who have filed civil suits, Tony Buzbee, said 17 additional Watson depositions are still on the docket, Sarah Barshop and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com report. Buzbee added four more women are expected to join the civil suit against Watson, which would up the total number of accusers to 28 (two of Watson’s initial accusers did not file suit).
The NFL is investigating the recently traded passer as well, but the developments in the civil trial will go a long way toward determining how the league will proceed regarding a suspension. Watson is expected to be suspended for at least six games, though that is not certain. The former Texans Pro Bowler could face a longer ban.
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