-
John BarrESPN.com
Lawyers Deshaun Watson Monday’s court exhibits were filed by a number of parties. They are offering evidence to discredit the claims of Watson, who she is accused of assaulting her in a massage session.
The lawsuit was filed by the woman earlier this month. Watson initially sued her under the pseudonym Jane Doe. After a court order, she amended the suit so that her name was included. Watson allegedly tried to press her into having sex.
According to the lawsuit, Watson allegedly paid her $300 for Watson’s services.
According to court filings, she had her allegations “considered — but ultimately rejected” by Houston police who interviewed her as soon as April 2021. The woman stated in November 2021 that she was not afraid and wasn’t intimidated to give a statement to Rusty Hardin (Watson’s Houston-based attorney). I did not do anything that I didn’t want to. According to court filings I didn’t do anything where it made me feel unsafe.”
Watson was charged with inappropriate sexual misconduct and assault during massage sessions.
Monday’s court filings revealed that Watson’s attorneys submitted many exhibits to show the woman was interested and ready to have a relationship.
“I would love for him to fall in love with me. … I don’t want to bring him criminal charges. It wasn’t illegal. According to the court filing, we were just playing around.
Monday’s court filings contain several direct messages Watson received from Watson during the months following their December 2018 encounter.
“I would like to see you again [sic] Watson was emailed by Watson 11 days later, stating that she should “hang out” after the massage.
“Can you invest with me?” Watson was asked by Watson in a second direct message.
A few months later, Watson was made what appeared to have been a sexually explicit proposal by the woman.
Watson’s lawyers wrote Monday in a motion seeking sanctions against the plaintiff’s lawyer, “This evidence undeniably establishes…that while this may be an instance of unrequited affection, under no stretch to the imagination is it a case if assault.”
Watson is currently on an 11-game ban for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Watson’s suspension was settled by the NFL Players Association and the NFL. He was also fined $5million and must undergo mandatory treatment.
Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, said that Watson had complied with the terms and conditions of his suspension agreement during the NFL’s autumn meeting in New York.
“As far a any additional [allegations]Goodell said that they will certainly follow them all. “If there is new information, we will take it into consideration. But we’ll wait and see what the future brings.”
Two Texas grand juries rejected to file criminal charges against Watson in January. Sue L. Robinson, an impartial arbiter, was jointly appointed by the league’s players’ union. She concluded that the NFL had the burden of proving that Watson engaged in sexual assault.
Robinson concluded that Watson’s behavior in her report was “egregious” as well as “predatory.”
Watson was recently allowed to enter the Browns training facility again for the first time since August 30th, when he was suspended. Watson will not be able to practice with the team until Nov. 14, and won’t play until Week 13, when he travels to face his former team. Texans Houston, December 4.