Accusers in lawsuits against Watson attend court session
At least five of the 22 women suing Deshaun Watson for alleged sexual assault and harassment appeared in court Thursday for what was meant to be a routine court hearing.
Their attorney, Tony Buzbee, said the women wanted to be present because “they’ve been called liars.”
“They’re not liars,” Buzbee said.
The women, who either volunteered or were ordered to release their names publicly to the court, did not speak to the media after the court setting. The Houston Chronicle does not typically name alleged victims of sexual assault or harassment.
One of the women in the courtroom was Ashley Solis, the first woman to file suit. Solis publicly identified herself during a news conference early this month.
Defense attorney Rusty Hardin declined to comment.
The Texans quarterback is accused of assaulting the 22 women, mostly massage therapists, during sessions in Texas, California, Georgia and Arizona.
State District Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier said she wanted to hold the meeting for management purposes. With a larger number of cases being brought against Watson, both legal teams will have to work on a plan outlining how they want to go about the discovery process of disclosing evidence.
Hardin on Thursday also filed a motion for sanctions because Buzbee
wouldn’t disclose some of the women’s Social Security numbers and drivers licenses, the attorneys said in the hearing. Hardin said he still can’t figure out who four of the women are, but Buzbee insisted he didn’t have to give that information until discovery.
The two legal teams also accused the other’s clients of destroying or altering evidence. Hardin said he is aware that some of the women are destroying or altering messages on social media platforms, which Buzbee denied. Buzbee also accused Watson of “unsending” messages to the women on social media, where he largely is accused of booking meetings with them.