Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will not face criminal charges as it relates to lawsuits from 22 women who allege he committed sexual assault.
According to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, the grand jury in Harris County returned nine no bills on the nine criminal complaints, and the three-time Pro Bowler will not be prosecuted.
Johna Stallings, the division chief of adult sex crimes and trafficking at the Harris County District attorney’s office, said that they presented evidence for over six hours on the proceedings.
“Beginning at 9 o’clock this morning, we presented evidence for over six hours for the grand jury to consider, as well as having witnesses available for those persons to testify in front of the grand jury,” Stallings said. “And the grand jury considered all of that evidence and returned nine no bills against Deshaun Watson involving these nine criminal complaints. We respect the grand jury’s decision and … conclude the criminal proceedings in Harris County.”
There were 10 criminal complaints that had been filed with the Houston Police Department against Watson. The FBI conducted its own investigation. The civil suits are still ongoing and the NFL has been conducting its own parallel investigation as it relates to a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
