Harris County, Texas District Attorney Says Deshaun Watson Not Being Indicted, Does Not Mean He Is Exonerated
Deshaun Watson was not indicted by Texas grand juries for accusations of sexual misconduct but the Harris County district attorney says that does not mean the Cleveland Browns quarterback is exonerated.
According to NBC Sports, Harris County district attorney Kim Ogg stated in a recent interview with podcaster Mike Melster, “We respect our justice process. I love the law. It’s designed to get to the truth. That’s really what people want. I don’t think as a culture we can live with injustice. Remember, a grand jury no bill is not an exoneration. People, even when they clear the criminal justice system, often face accountability and repercussions in other parts of our legal system.”
Ogg continued, “And so I think to determine whether justice was done in this case you’re going to have to wait and see how it all comes out on the civil side of things and then through the NFL on the administrative side of things. And then people will determine whether that’s justice.”
According to the Houston Chronicle, the former Houston Texan player denied allegations of sexual misconduct, which stem from 24 civil lawsuits filed by massage therapists accusing him of misconduct during their sessions with the three-time NFL Pro Bowler.
Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that Watson, 26, used at least 66 different massage therapists during a 17-month period before the first lawsuit was filed against him in Mar. of 2021.
It’s unclear what sort of punishment the NFL may dole out prior to the 2022 season, which begins on Sept. 8. Deshaun Watson was recently traded to the Cleveland Browns.
