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Another Houston-area grand jury is considering whether former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson should face a criminal charge for allegedly sexually assaulting 22 women. Houston-based media outlets reported Thursday (March 24) that a Brazoria County grand jury has received a 10th case in connection with allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
Earlier this month, the Houston Daily reported, a Harris County grand jury decided not to criminally charge the 2017 first-rounder from Clemson. The publication also reported that the Texans traded Watson to the Cleveland Browns for a bevy of draft picks a few days after the no bill.
"We were aware, the Browns were aware, and the case is one of the 22 pending lawsuits from a year ago," Watson's attorney, Rustin Hardin, said, according to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU. "There is absolutely nothing new about it, and the allegations have been in a public lawsuit for a year."
Hardin said that one of the incidents Watson is implicated in occurred in Pearland hence the case is being considered by a Brazoria County grand jury, according to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK.
Hardin told the station that the grand jury will have deliberations on Friday (March 25).
Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits against him.
KHOU reported that one of the plaintiffs claims the 26-year-old signal-caller took her to her mother's house in Pearland for a massage.
According to the station, Brazoria County prosecutors held off on convening the grand jury until deliberations in Harris County were completed.
Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that neither the Browns nor plaintiffs' attorney Tony Buzbee have commented publicly on the 10th criminal charge.
Watson asserts his innocence in response to the allegations.
Hardin admitted that "some sexual activity" occurred, but denied Watson coerced anyone, KPRC reported.
Watson suited up for the Texans for four seasons.
He was inactive throughout the 2021 season as the Texans front office worked to trade him to no avail.