Judges rule women suing Texans QB Deshaun Watson must divulge names Published: Apr 09, 2021 at 10:48 AM Copied!
Two judges ruled Friday that the majority of the women with lawsuits against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson must replead and identify themselves by name.
In separate hearings in the 113th and 270th districts of Harris County (Texas), it was ruled that 13 of the plaintiffs in the 22 lawsuits filed versus Watson must refile within two business days or said cases will be dismissed.
All 22 plaintiffs lawsuits, which were each filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, were previously identified as Jane Doe. Watson s attorney Rusty Hardin, who held a news conference after Friday s rulings, said he and Buzbee agreed that 14 women would move forward with the lawsuits naming themselves.
Content warning:
This story contains details about alleged sexual abuse. The content may be difficult to read and emotionally upsetting.
The Texans’ already-dramatic offseason took a sudden and serious turn in mid-March, when Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced in an Instagram post that he was filing suit against Deshaun Watson. Since then, Buzbee has filed more than 20 civil lawsuits accusing the Texans quarterback of sexual assault and sexual misconduct, and the NFL and the Houston Police Department are conducting investigations.
Through a social media post and his attorney, Watson has denied any wrongdoing.
Watson already had been a hot topic of the NFL offseason because he requested a trade less than a year after the Texans gave him a $156 million extension that has him under contract for the next five seasons. Where his career heads will depend upon how the legal process and the NFL’s investigation unfold.
Rusty Hardin Successful In Getting Anonymity of Watson Plaintiffs Removed houstonpress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from houstonpress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Houston Public Media An emotional Ashley Solis speaks at a press conference on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Solis is the first woman to publicly identify herself after accusing Deshaun Watson of sexual assault in a lawsuit.
The first woman to accuse Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed last month publicly identified herself Tuesday and a second woman was named in a public letter at a press conference held in their attorney’s office.
Houston massage thrapists Ashley Solis accused Watson of assault during a March 2020 massage session. Solis, speaking Thursday through tears, said she has also gone to police with her allegations.
increase font size
Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson has been accused by 22 women of sexual assault and harassment.
By JUAN A. LOZANOAssociated Press
Share
HOUSTON A judge on Friday ordered that the name of one of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment must be made public.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has asked that all the women, who have sued under the name Jane Doe, be publicly identified so his client can “have a chance at properly defending himself.” Hardin has called the claims against Watson “meritless” and that the NFL player “did not force, coerce or intimidate anyone to do anything against their will.”