HOUSTON — Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has completed his first two sessions of depositions as part of the 22 lawsuits filed against him, ESPN confirmed Friday.
His attorney, Rusty Hardin, previously told ESPN his client would assert his Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate himself during his testimony until the criminal investigation had concluded.
Hardin told ESPN in July that 10 women had filed complaints with Houston police about Watson. Eight of the women have also filed lawsuits against Watson with allegations ranging from sexual assault to harassment during massage sessions.
While the depositions were taking place, a grand jury sat in a Houston courthouse less than a mile away, hearing evidence about criminal complaints to determine whether Watson will face criminal charges.
Last month, a judge ruled that Watson could be deposed in nine of those civil cases after Hardin argued that delaying those depositions would enable Watson’s legal team to secure depositions with all 22 of the women who are suing Watson and would allow Watson the protection of knowing whether he will also face criminal charges.
Watson’s deposition was originally scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 22.
