On Friday, two judges ordered in separate hearings that Tony Buzbee refile sexual assault and harassment cases against quarterback Deshaun Watson with the names of the accusers made public.
It was a huge win for the Texans QB and his team.
Buzbee had suggested a private disclosure to Rusty Hardin for the women, who were initially all listed as “Jane Doe.”
Nine women agreed to allow Buzbee to release their identities.
Hardin says Buzbee had initially declined to help them identify the women, which he said he needs to do to investigate and properly respond to the allegations.
Soon after, Tony Buzbee released a statement that had an omnious warning on it:
“Today during Court proceedings, the Watson team spent most of their time attacking me because they claimed that, without the identities of the women suing Watson, they could not properly investigate the case and defend Mr. Watson. I had previously explained to Watson’s team that most of the women, in this case, had already given me permission to release their names to Mr. Hardin, and that I had in- tended to do so in due course.
Indeed, after they watched Ashley Solis provide her compelling and truthful statement, these brave women felt emboldened and strong enough to take this important step. They are ready to be identified. In lawsuits sometimes we push hard for something that may turn out to not be helpful. As I said in Court, “be careful what you ask for.” Identifying these women at this point adds even more credibility to the allegations being made, and I am proud to stand with these brave and courageous women.”
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During the first Friday morning hearing, Hardin added that Watson has rights that need to be upheld.
“It is not only the accuser that is entitled to fair treatment, the accused is, and that has been totally ignored,” he said.
