From non-stop trade talks to 22 women accusing Deshaun Watson of being a sexual deviant during massage sessions.
On Friday, Harris County judges ruled that four of Deshaun Watson’s accusers must refile their lawsuits under their real names. Rusty Hardin and other attorneys for Watson had filed a motion claiming the Houston Texans quarterback could not mount a proper legal defense without knowing who his accuser is and accusing Buzbee of “conducting discovery by Facebook and trial by press conference.”
While Watson’s legal team got that massive win, it appears they may be trying to end these cases in a timely matter.
Official Legal Analyst Amy Dash dropped some major information on Friday evening:
“Several sources telling me Deshaun Watson still trying to settle these cases. Settling would be the best thing he could do, and could dissuade women from going through with criminal route. I believe Buzbee would settle for the right number.”
During a news conference Friday, Hardin reiterated his client’s innocence as he told a story of Watson being in “disbelief” about allegations that he forced a woman to engage in sexual activity and began crying when he was told.
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Hardin acknowledged that there were some “consensual encounters” between the Houston Texans quarterback and some of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits against him, but he said at no point did Watson engage in any acts that were not “mutually desired.”
“Were there sometimes consensual encounters? Yes,” Hardin said.
“I’m not going to go into what it is or the nature or the numbers or with whom,” Hardin said regarding any consensual encounters between Watson and some of the plaintiffs. “But I think you can rightfully assume that. The question always that we have always been emphasizing: Never at any time, under any circumstances … did this young man ever engage in anything that was not mutually desired by the other party.”
In a statement Tuesday, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy called the allegations against Watson “deeply disturbing,” noting, “We take these issues very seriously.”
