On Friday, a grand jury declined to indict Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on nine criminal complaints stemming from 22 civil cases brought against Watson for harrasment and sexual assualt during massage appointments.
“After a Harris County grand jury was presented all the evidence and had the opportunity to hear from all witnesses, grand jurors declined to indict Deshaun Watson,” Dane Schiller, spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, said in a statement Friday. “Grand jury proceedings are secret by law, so no information related to their inquiry may be disclosed.”
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement that they will now defend Watson in the civil cases, but that it’s time to “let Deshaun move on.”
“We are delighted that the grand jury has looked at the matter thoroughly and reached the same conclusion we did. Deshaun Watson did not commit any crimes and is not guilty of any offenses,” Hardin said in a statement. “Now that the criminal investigations have been completed, we are happy to move forward with the civil case depositions. We will vigorously defend those cases with every ounce we have.”
“There were no crimes here but there is a plaintiffs’ attorney churning up negative press and churning up his clients hoping for a pay day,” the statement continued. “These cases have been the product of a lawyer maximizing his own personal publicity at the expense of others, including his own clients. It’s time to let Deshaun move on.”
In March 2021, the first of 22 women filed civil cases against Watson, claiming that Watson harassed and sexually assaulted them during massage appointments.
“It’s definitely a very emotional moment for me. I know we’re far from being done of handling what we need to handle on the legal side, but today is definitely a big day, and I thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for letting the truth be heard,” Watson said outside the courthouse on Friday. “And I thank everyone that was a part of this for seeing and hearing both sides. That’s what my point and my team wanted to do, is have a fair slate of us telling our side of the story and letting the conclusion come down to what happened today, and that’s what the grand jury decided on.”
“I thank my lord and savior, and I’m going to keep fighting to rebuild my name and rebuild my appearance in the community,” Watson continued. “We’re going to continue on the legal side, off the field, handle what we need to handle, but also ready to get back on the field.”
Deshaun Watson just spoke to reporters for the first time in over a year: "I'm going to keep fighting to rebuild my name and rebuild my appearance in the community."
Says he's ready to get back on the field.
(🎥 @BKubena)pic.twitter.com/KfJvSr4Tvd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 11, 2022
Watson did not play in any of the 17 Texans’ games during the 2021-2022 regular season after requesting a trade. On Saturday, ESPN reported that the Carolina Panthers are planning on presenting an “aggressive offer” for Watson as soon as he waives his no-trade clause.
Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].