Texans: Deshaun Watson Evades Criminal Charges on Sexual Misconduct, Can Now Be Traded

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was accused by two dozen women of sexual misconduct during massage appointments, will not be criminally charged, a grand jury ruled Friday.

The 12-person grand jury determined that there was not enough evidence to charge the 26-year-old NFL quarterback after the Harris County district attorney's office in Texas presented evidence for more than six hours related to nine of the 10 criminal complaints filed against Watson last year.

The grand jury also had the opportunity to hear from complainants via videotaped interviews that described some of Watson's actions, including exposing himself, purposely touching therapists' hands with his penis, and forcing a woman into oral sex.

Prosecutors did not present anything on the 10th complaint. In dismissing the nine complaints, the grand jury believed the evidence presented by prosecutors did not show probable cause to support criminal charges, The New York Times reported.

Johna Stallings, division chief of the adult sex crimes and human trafficking unit at the district attorney's office, said they respect the grand jury's decision that ended criminal proceedings related to Watson in Harris County, where Houston is located.

According to ESPN, Watson said after the ruling that he would just keep fighting to rebuild his name and appearance in the community.

"And on the legal side, handle what we need to handle. But also ready to get on the field and prep for that," the Houston Texans quarterback added.

Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits by women accusing him of sexual misconduct and assault.

Texans Quarterback Deshaun Watson's Alleged Sexual Misconduct Acts

Several of the women who filed criminal complaints were ready to provide testimony at the Criminal Justice Center in Harris County Friday, but only one was called in front of the grand jury, the New York Times reported.

Friday was the most momentous day for the cases against Watson since he was first publicly accused of sexual misconduct. Watson sat for depositions in two of the lawsuits as the grand jury met roughly a mile away from the Harris County criminal courthouse in the downtown building that houses the law firm offices of his lawyer, Rusty Hardin.

The Texans quarterback invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions on Friday. Depositions for two additional lawsuits were scheduled for Tuesday.

In a statement, Hardin expressed his delight at the grand jury's decision not to indict Watson. According to Hardin, the NFL quarterback "did not commit any crimes and is not guilty of any offenses."

Ashley Solis, a 28-year-old licensed massage therapist, filed the first claim against Watson nearly a year ago, alleging that he purposefully touched her hand with his erect and exposed penis during a massage treatment at her house in March 2020.

Similar allegations against one of professional football's brightest rising talents piled up at an alarming rate in the weeks that followed. Watson has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyer noted that any sexual acts that occurred during massage appointments were consensual.

Deshaun Watson's Wanted to Be Traded From the Houston Texans

The grand jury's decision was so important to all involved in the case. The women who were called before the grand jury on Friday wanted their complaints of sexual misconduct against the professional athlete to be taken seriously.

Deshaun Watson, on the other hand, not only wanted to be cleared of wrongdoing but also to be traded from the Houston Texans so he could resume his NFL career with another team. The free agency period in the NFL begins on March 16, the first day of the league's new year.

Watson, one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL, has not played since the final week of the regular season in 2020. He requested a trade after being disappointed with the Texans following a dreadful 4-12 season amid front-office disorder.

However, the avalanche of complaints filed against Watson in March last year took halt efforts to resolve the rift between him and the franchise. Since then, Watson has been in NFL limbo.

The NFL also launched its own inquiry but chose not to penalize or sideline Watson since he had not been charged criminally. After the grand jury's decision, an NFL spokesman said in a statement that the matter "remains under review of the personal conduct policy."

Last March, the Houston Texans noted that they would continue to take all matters involving anyone within the organization seriously and would no longer comment until the NFL's investigation had ended.

The Texans decided to keep Deshaun Watson on the inactive list for the whole 2021 season while moving forward with Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills as quarterbacks and winning only four games.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Deshaun Watson Will Not Face Criminal Charges for Recent Allegations of Sexual Misconduct - Schefter - From ESPN