One Watson accuser drops suit, citing privacy, security
One of the 23 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment has dropped her case, citing privacy and security concerns after some of the women were ordered to make their names public following court hearings last week.
In court documents filed late Tuesday, the woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, said she “reserves the right to refile the case once such concerns are addressed.”
Buzbee has said the women have faced death threats and attacks on social media since accusing Watson and had wanted them to be allowed to remain anonymous.
After the one woman dropped her case, that had left 21 lawsuits pending. But on Wednesday afternoon, another woman filed a lawsuit, bringing the total number of cases to 22. The latest lawsuit was filed with the woman’s name.
All the previous lawsuits had been filed under the name Jane Doe. But after two court hearings last week and agreements between Buzbee and Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, the other 21 women were expected to make their names public by having their lawsuits refiled with their names. As of Wednesday, 20 of the women had refiled their lawsuits with their names on them. The remaining woman was expected to do the same by today.
“It appears the Watson team thinks that if these courageous women are forced to identify themselves, they would slink away and not pursue this matter. Watson and his counsel badly miscalculated,” Buzbee said in a statement Tuesday.
Hardin — who last week said “some sexual activity” happened between Watson and some of the women but that the quarterback never coerced any of them — has said it was important that the women be identified so Watson can properly defend himself.
■ RAMS: A lawyer and his 26-year-old client told Pittsburgh police Wednesday that Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald and others assaulted the man at a nightclub last weekend, causing multiple injuries
Attorney Todd J. Hollis said his client, De’Vincent Spriggs, needed 16 stitches and suffered a broken orbital bone in his head, a broken nose and a sprained or broken arm at a bar on East Carson Street in the city’s South Side.
“We believe there was a misunderstanding that Mr. Spriggs bumped into Mr. Donald and Mr. Donald escalated the matter, leading to my client’s assault moments later,” Hollis said.
Hollis said Spriggs, who lives in another state, was taken by a friend to a hospital for treatment. The alleged attack occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday, he said. Hollis released a photo that showed Spriggs with facial injuries and swelling.
Hollis and Spriggs filed a criminal complaint with Pittsburgh police on Wednesday.
“They did a preliminary investigation and they’re going to look into the matter and get back to us as soon as they have more information,” Hollis said.
The Los Angeles Rams issued a statement saying the team was aware of reports about Donald and was collecting more information. The team declined further comment.
A message seeking comment was left with Donald’s longtime agent, Todd France.
■ BROWNS: Jadeveon Clowney will chase quarterbacks and a Super Bowl title with the Browns.
The dynamic free agent defensive end signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Cleveland on Wednesday, joining All-Pro end Myles Garrett on the defensive line and a team looking to go deeper in the playoffs this season.
Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in 2014, hasn’t always played up to his reputation. A three-time Pro Bowler, the 28year-old Clowney has 32 career sacks in 83 games. He has also forced nine fumbles, recovered eight, and scored four touchdowns on returns.