The attorney for Jane Doe who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Deshaun Watson said she has “pertinent” video to back up her client's allegations.
Tony Busby He also spoke at Pro Football Talk The woman said she plans to interview with the NFL within the next two weeks along with two people who she spoke to “shortly after the assault.”
Watson “strongly” denied the allegations through his lawyer on Wednesday.
“DeShawn vehemently denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed on Monday,” Rusty Hardin said. “The NBA is pleased to announce that Watson has signed a 2018 deal with the NBA,” the statement said in a statement on Watson's behalf.“We have asked him not to comment further whilst the matter proceeds through the courts, but we are confident that he will ultimately be exonerated.”
“We are prepared to defend this matter in court at the appropriate time but will not defend it in the media. We ask everyone to be patient as the legal process unfolds.”
“In the meantime, Deshaun will be focusing his energy and focus on football.”
Buzbee's client filed the lawsuit in Houston on Monday, alleging that Watson committed sexual assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress in 2020.
Jane Doe is reportedly seeking more than $1 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
She claims that she went on a date with Watson on Oct. 10, 2020, and that he ended up lying face down on her bed “completely naked” and “aggressively” insisting that she receive a butt massage.
Watson became angry when the woman did not comply and eventually forced her to lie on the bed, according to the lawsuit.
“Watson then partially removed Jane Doe's clothing and penetrated her vaginally without her express or implied consent. Jane Doe became paralyzed and did not know whether to risk her safety in an attempt to stop Watson or to endure his assault. Watson violently sexually assaulted Jane Doe in the 'missionary position' for several minutes before grabbing her and flipping her over,” the lawsuit reads. Filmed by Pro Football Talk“Watson continued to violently attack Doe from behind. Jane Doe eventually mustered the courage and strength to escape from Watson. Jane Doe quickly ran to her dresser, grabbed some heavy jewelry in self-defense, and yelled for Watson to get out of the apartment. Infuriated, Watson stormed out of Jane Doe's apartment.”
The NFL is investigating the incident, but Watson has been cleared to play and is expected to start under center in Week 2's road game against the Jaguars.
Watson was previously suspended for 11 games in 2022 and fined $5 million after 24 civil lawsuits were filed against him alleging he was sexually harassed and assaulted during private messaging sessions.
According to reports, 23 of those civil cases were resolved privately.
The Browns acquired Watson in a trade in 2022 and immediately signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
