Days after Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns, a second grand jury in Texas is contemplating proof associated to a different accusation of sexual misconduct in opposition to the N.F.L. quarterback, based on Tony Buzbee, the lawyer for the complainant.
The case, in Brazoria County, south of Houston, is the final legal case pending in opposition to Watson. The complainant informed police that Watson ejaculated on her in a November 2020 therapeutic massage appointment. Buzbee mentioned he expects the grand jury to deliberate and difficulty a call immediately or tomorrow for the case. Neither the Browns nor Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lawyer, have been instantly accessible for remark.
A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, the place Houston is, rejected 9 legal instances in opposition to Watson earlier this month. However a tenth legal criticism filed with the Houston Police Division described an alleged incident that came about exterior the jurisdiction of the Harris County District Legal professional’s Workplace.
The publicly accessible police report is closely redacted however says the complainant informed police that Watson “touched her along with his penis and ejaculated inflicting semen to the touch her arm and hand.”
The complainant, whose identify was redacted within the legal criticism, is likely one of the 22 plaintiffs who’re suing Watson in civil courtroom for sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage appointments.
Watson has denied all wrongdoing, and Hardin has mentioned that any sexual acts that occurred throughout therapeutic massage appointments have been consensual.
After the grand jury in Harris County declined to convey prices on March 11, Hardin mentioned in an announcement that “the legal investigations have been accomplished.” N.F.L. groups seen the choice in Harris County as a inexperienced gentle to pursue Watson through commerce, and the Browns gave Watson a assured five-year, $230 million contract, a document for a assured deal. They structured the deal to mitigate Watson’s monetary penalty if the N.F.L. suspends him for a violation of its personal-conduct coverage by setting his 2022 base wage at simply over $1 million, minimizing every potential missed recreation examine.
The Browns mentioned in a statement on Sunday that they undertook a “complete analysis course of” earlier than buying and selling for Watson and did “in depth” investigative, authorized and reference work. The assertion acknowledged that “some authorized proceedings” have been nonetheless ongoing, nevertheless it was unclear whether or not the Browns have been conscious {that a} case could be introduced earlier than the Brazoria County grand jury this week.
The N.F.L.’s investigation into the allegations in opposition to Watson is ongoing. An individual who recognized himself as a safety consultant for the N.F.L. requested info from the Houston Police on March 15, together with witness statements and telephone information or social-media messages, and in addition requested for interviews with the police investigators who labored the case, based on police information.
Watson invoked his Fifth Modification proper in opposition to self-incrimination in civil depositions given earlier than the choice by the Harris County grand jury, however waived that proper and answered questions beneath oath in depositions final week and this week, Buzbee mentioned.
Earlier than the take care of the Browns, Watson additionally met with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints final week. The Panthers weren’t prepared to satisfy a request from Watson and his representatives to ensure the ultimate two years of his contract, based on an individual with direct data of these negotiations, who requested anonymity as a result of they don’t seem to be licensed to talk publicly.
Kevin Draper contributed reporting.