![]() ![]() "The civil cases will continue to gather steam. Earlier Friday, Buzbee questioned Watson during a deposition, the first the NFL star has given as part of the lawsuits. Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the 22 women, said the criminal case is separate from the civil cases and he will continue the process of questioning Watson as the lawsuits move toward trial. Deshaun Watson did not commit any crimes and is not guilty of any offenses," Rusty Hardin, Watson's lead attorney, said in a statement. "We are delighted that the grand jury has looked at the matter thoroughly and reached the same conclusion we did. Watson's lawyers have said "some sexual activity" happened during some of the massage appointments but that he never coerced anyone. Stallings said that decision ended criminal proceedings related to Watson in Harris County, where Houston is located. "We respect the grand jury's decision," Stallings said. She declined to say what possible charges were presented to the grand jury for consideration. Prosecutors presented evidence and testimony to the grand jury for over six hours on Friday related to nine criminal complaints against Watson, Johna Stallings, chief of the adult sex crimes and trafficking division with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, said. The FBI also was reviewing the allegations. Houston police began investigating Watson in April 2021 after a criminal complaint was filed. One woman alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex. The grand jury's decision came about a year after the women first filed their suits, accusing Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will during massage appointments. ![]() For readers in America, a list of resources and references for survivors and their loved ones can be found here. If you or someone you know is in need of support, those in Canada can find province-specific centres, crisis lines and services here. So, we’re excited to, if you will, have the stuff behind us.HOUSTON - A grand jury on Friday declined to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson following a police investigation sparked by lawsuits filed by 22 women who have accused him of sexual assault and harassment.Įditor's Note: The following story deals with sexual assault, and may be distressing for some readers. “We did what we thought was in the best interest of our team. “Every team, every business, has to look and do what they think is in the best interest of their team,” Haslam said. However, Haslam backed his Watson decision as in the end, he was only looking out for the Browns, via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Watson’s deal could start a trend with QBs only seeking fully-guaranteed contracts. Jackson has said to be asking for a fully-guaranteed deal of his own, which no team has yet to give him. ![]() When Cleveland traded for Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans, they gave him a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. While Watson’s contract might be a sticking point for teams around the league in talks surrounding Jackson, Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam has no regrets over the deal. As Lamar Jackson searches for a potential trade partner, his contract asking price has been likened to that of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. ![]()
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