HOUSTON – Houston Attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement Tuesday night that his law firm would amend all 22 lawsuits against Deshaun Watson to disclose the names of the plaintiffs, “even those who are not currently subject to any court order. “
The lawsuit, originally filed on behalf of Jane Does from March 16 to April 2, alleges inappropriate behavior and sexual assault against the Houston Texans quarterback.
On Friday, two judges ruled that most of the plaintiffs suing Watson must identify themselves. The verdicts of two hearings Friday cover 13 of the 22 lawsuits against Watson, while attorneys also agreed to release a 14th name later in the day. Before Friday, only two women were publicly identified.
A further emergency hearing to determine whether the remaining lawsuits need to be amended is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the 113th District Court. The trial was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon before Buzbee sent out his statement, saying the law firm would amend all the petitions.
As of Tuesday night, 11 lawsuits have been amended and available on the Harris County District Clerk’s website.
In his statement, Buzbee said his law firm “had earlier sought to make the names of the plaintiffs that Deshaun Watson is suing available to the Defense Council, and intended to do so in due course.”
“We were concerned about the safety of these plaintiffs, and asked the Watson team to agree to a protection order where the identity could be used in litigation but could not be broadcast to the world,” the statement said. Buzbee.
In a statement last week, Watson’s attorney Rusty Hardin said when his law firm asked Buzbee to identify his clients weeks ago, he refused and told us to file a motion.
“While I understand that anonymity is often used as a shield for victims, Mr. Buzbee uses it as a sword,” Hardin said in a statement Thursday. “While Mr Buzbee is protecting his clients from public inquiry, he continues to use their anonymous allegations to destroy Mr Watson. That is simply not right. And we look forward to resolving these matters in court. “
Hardin admitted during a news conference Friday that there was a “consensual meeting” between Watson and some of the 22 women who filed against him. “
‘Were there sometimes consensual meetings? “Yes,” Hardin said.
When asked to clarify his remarks about Watson’s sex acts with some of the women who have filed lawsuits against him, Hardin replied: “In some of these massages, there is going to be no doubt. not.”
Buzbee said in a statement Tuesday that Watson “can now claim that he has permission to do what he” did to these women, “but that he did not have permission, according to them.