Judge rules Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson can testify under oath in nine civil cases

A decide in Houston dominated Monday that Deshaun Watson can confront queries under oath in at minimum some of the 22 civil situations filed from him by women of all ages who have accused the Houston Texans quarterback of actions ranging from harassment to sexual assault during therapeutic massage sessions.

Watson’s legal professional, Rusty Hardin, submitted a movement final 7 days to delay Watson’s deposition till just after April 1 and argued Monday that such a delay would enable Watson’s authorized staff to protected depositions with all 22 of the women of all ages who are suing Watson and also allow Watson the protection of knowing whether he will also face felony prices. Watson’s deposition was at first scheduled to commence as early as this week.

Hardin mentioned in court docket on Monday that the Harris County District Lawyer will probable determine by April 1 no matter if Watson will be criminally charged. The district attorney’s office environment and Houston Police have declined to comment on the position of the criminal situation from Watson.

Hardin’s motion to hold off Watson’s deposition was denied on Monday, at minimum in aspect.

“Deshaun Watson’s staff loudly and publicly promises he is innocent and wishes practically nothing additional than to crystal clear his title, nonetheless he refuses to sit in a area and experience his accusers and response issues less than oath,” Tony Buzbee, the Houston attorney for the 22 ladies suing Watson, explained in a well prepared statement Monday.

“These days [Watson] sought far more hold off having said that, irrespective of his endeavours, the Court dominated that, at minimum with regard to the very first nine plaintiffs, there will be no additional delay,” Buzbee extra.

The court docket ruled Monday that Watson can be questioned underneath oath on allegations relating to 9 of the pending civil instances. None of the gals included in those people nine instances has submitted a felony criticism against Watson, and all of them have already provided depositions of their possess in their ongoing civil scenarios.

Hardin argued in courtroom on Monday that no attorney would allow his or her customer to deliver sworn testimony in a civil circumstance when a prospective criminal case is looming, raising the prospect that when Watson does supply testimony in the nine situations discovered by the court docket on Monday, he will possible exercise his Fifth Amendment proper to remain silent.

“The obligation of the attorney is to safeguard the client, and whilst there is a felony investigation likely on, it is only fair to wait to see irrespective of whether it effects in expenses or it would not right before deciding whether or not you might be going to submit any person for depositions,” Hardin explained to reporters just after Monday’s listening to.

The 22 civil conditions filed from Watson accuse him of a vary of steps all through massage appointments, from refusing to cover his genitals to forced oral sexual intercourse. Hardin claimed Monday that Watson “failed to do what he is accused of executing,” and extra, “I’m hopeful and I have faith in that will be a summary of a grand jury.”

Buzbee get rid of at minimum some light on the modern deposition of Watson’s internet marketing supervisor, Brian Burney, stating it was Burney who testified that the Texans group “supplied Watson the nondisclosure arrangement that he insisted that quite a few women of all ages sign just after a therapeutic massage session.”

The NFL is also investigating Watson’s scenario.

Watson, who has been the subject matter of NFL trade rumors for months, did not enjoy all season for the Texans regardless of remaining on the active roster.