On March 18, attorney Tony Buzbee filed three lawsuits in Houston against the Texan quarterback Deshaun Watson on behalf of three massage therapists who allege inappropriate behavior and sexual assault. Now Buzbee has filed a total of seven charges, and as Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com writes, there will be at least five more on the way.
No criminal charges or charges have been filed against Watson, but according to Barshop, Buzbee insists on changing it. The lawyer plans to file affidavits and evidence of the alleged misconduct at the Houston Police Department and the Houston DA on Monday morning, and he will also request that a grand jury consider the evidence.
This is, of course, part of Buzbee’s effort to increase his leverage in his civil litigation, and the fact that he submits affidavits and evidence to the DA office does not mean that the DA will believe the material is a probable cause to to initiate criminal proceedings. Yet it is clear that this case is not disappearing, and Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, says an answer is coming.
“I am very proud to represent Deshaun Watson and stand completely behind him against what we believe are deserving allegations,” Hardin said. ‘However, we will wait to comment in detail until we review the numerous, evolving allegations of Mr. Buzbee completed it. We will respond next week and ask you to keep an open mind until we do. ” (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26).
Until the charges were filed, Watson was head over heels for football-related reasons. He and the Texans played a chicken meat over Pro Bowler’s three-time question, and as of March 19 – even after the seventh lawsuit – Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported that several clubs were still interested in making a deal for Watson. . These include the Eagles, whose importance has not been reported before.
“We need to know more facts before we make a firm decision on a trade, but yes, we are still interested,” said one NFL executive. ‘How could you not be interested in Deshaun Watson possibly being your quarterback? The man is an incredible talent. ‘
Said another executive, ‘[w]hat Deshaun Watson is accused, of course, does not at all agree with what we have heard and know of him as a wonderful person, but you can not ignore these serious allegations. What this means is to make sure you do your homework and make sure you have all the facts before you become heavily involved in trade negotiations. There’s the NFL investigation, the court documents, and you have to let it all play out and make an informed decision. Yes, we are still very interested in Deshaun Watson. What he did on the field makes sure every boxer plays for quarterback. ”
If these allegations are not resolved in Watson’s favor in a short time, you can expect interested teams to halt their pursuit of the Texans’ caller.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.