Hearings result in 13 of Texans QB Watson’s 22 accusers being ID’D

The names of 13 of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment will be made public following court hearings Friday.

During two hearings, Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, asked that the names of the 13 women, who have sued under the name Jane Doe, be publicly identified so his client can “have a chance at properly defending himself.”

Tony Buzbee, the lawyer for the 22 women, argued against releasing their names, saying doing so could put their lives in danger. One of two accusers who made their names public during a news conference Tuesday has already received death threats, Buzbee said.

During the first of Friday’s court hearings, state District Judge Dedra Davis ordered that the lawsuit of one woman be refiled within two days with her name on it.

At a second hearing related to lawsuits filed by 12 other women, Buzbee told state District Judge Rabeea Collier that nine of the women had agreed to make their names public. Collier then ordered the other three to refile their lawsuits with their names included.

Court records show Hardin has filed motions asking that the seven remaining women who have not revealed their names also make their identities public.

During Friday’s hearings, Hardin accused Buzbee of using news conferences and social media to make attacks against Watson that the quarterback’s legal team could not fight because it doesn’t know the women’s identities.

Hardin said he sympathizes with the online attacks the accusers have faced, but that Watson has also suffered consequences, as he has been repeatedly called a rapist on social media.

“Deshaun Watson is not responsible for third party crazies out there that abuse these women,” Hardin said.