A Houston grand jury has decided not to indict Deshaun Watson after an investigation brought about by 22 lawsuits filed by women accusing him of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

According to CBS 7, The decision by the grand jury comes a year after 22 women filed lawsuits accusing Watson of exposing himself, putting his penis on them, or kissing them without consent during massage appointments with one even saying he forced her to perform oral sex on him.

That prompted Houston police and the FBI to start investigating in April 2021 after one of the criminal complaints was filed.

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Prosecutors gave evidence and testimony to the grand jury for more than six hours on Friday related to nine of the criminal complaints.

Johna Stallings, Chief of the Adult Sex Crimes and Trafficking Division of the Harris County District Attorney's Office declined to state the charges that were presented for consideration to the grand jury but did say "We respect the grand jury’s decision."

The decision by the grand jury has ended criminal proceedings related to Watson in Harris County according to Stallings.

Deshaun Watson held a news conference outside his lawyer's office and said he was grateful for the decision by the grand jury.

“It’s definitely a very emotional moment for me. We’re far from being done handling what we need to handle on the legal side but today is definitely a big day and I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for letting the truth be heard. I’m going to continue to just keep pushing forward and build my name back to where it was if not better,” said Watson.

Civil cases will continue against Watson, but his criminal indictments are over.

 

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