Grand Jury Appears Set to Weigh Charges Against Deshaun Watson

Practically a yr after allegations of sexual misconduct towards Deshaun Watson have been first publicized, a number of ladies who filed legal complaints towards him have been subpoenaed to look earlier than a grand jury on Friday, in keeping with their lawyer, Tony Buzbee.

Ten ladies filed legal complaints towards Watson, the Houston Texans quarterback, final yr, accusing him of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage classes, in keeping with Houston police data. The complaints launched to the general public have been closely redacted however listed acts starting from Watson exposing himself, touching therapists’ fingers 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 not less than a few of these circumstances to the grand jury, which can resolve if legal prices will probably 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 ebook 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 resolve 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 fulfill 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 wished this resolution 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 should you name it indecent assault or the rest,” 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 will probably be questioned underneath oath for a number of the 22 civil fits towards him, Buzbee mentioned. Eight of the ten ladies who filed legal 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 might start for 9 of the civil circumstances through which the plaintiffs have already given their depositions and didn’t file legal complaints.

Hardin mentioned the deposition of Watson on Friday will probably be “a nugatory train” as a result of he’ll advise Watson to claim 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 dwelling. 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 passed off, the deadline for bringing prices towards Watson in reference to Solis’s case is the top of this month.

Of the ten legal complaints filed with Houston police, one has already handed the statute of limitations, an account of indecent assault from 2019. One other passed off outdoors Harris County and can be in a unique prosecutor’s jurisdiction.

Complainants who obtain a subpoena don’t know if the prosecutor will probably be presenting their case to the grand jury or if they’re being referred to as in as a witness for different circumstances. Buzbee mentioned he knew of not less than six of his shoppers who acquired a subpoena.

Watson has not performed in an N.F.L. recreation since January 2021. He was eligible to play through the 2021 season however sat out as he sought a commerce from the Texans.