They said not enough evidence, could be many of the massage therapists did not want to testify and chance effecting their civil case. Not judging at all but to some of these ladies a monetary settlement is more justice than having Watson in jail.
Varied opinions are out there for sure and I'd expect to see more when the texts of the NFL appeal and Watson's responses are made public. The NFLPA made a statement of confidence in the process regarding Watson's procedure in front of Sue L Robinson on Sunday before her decision came down. They have made no comment regarding the specifics of her decision and no comment about the one-sided appeals process other than to say they will respond to the NFL appeal which must be done by tomorrow, I believe. I saw on the news tonight that Goodell has hired a New Jersey attorney to actually process the NFL's appeal but can find nothing that puts a time frame on when to expect a decision.
If no settlement emerges from the appeals process and Watson and the NFL file suit in federal court as many anticipate it should be expected that the decision of Robinson would be called into question as would the original penalty ordered by the judge. If a restraining order is granted while such a suit is working its way through the legal system the six game suspension could not be enforced.
Those accusing Watson had no obligation to participate in the NFL investigation or punishment process but they would not have had the opportunity to refuse to testify in any of the Grand Jury actions that found insufficient evidence of criminal activity to charge Watson.
There is a difference between "not wanting to" and "not having the opportunity to refuse". What do you think happens if the ladies attorney tells the court that she does not want to testify? Do you think the court is going to hold an alleged sexual assault victim in contempt? The fact that only a few of the 10 that filed criminal complaints actually testified, maybe it "could be many of the massage therapists did not want to testify".
I absolutely believe that if a grand jury subpoenas someone they're going to be there or face the penalty. At least eight were reported to have been subpoenaed in Harris County, I find nothing that indicates how many were called in Brazoria. The grand juries do not rely only on claimants however, they also hear from police and others who have investigated their allegations. Only four provided testimony to Judge Robinson; one can only surmise why.
TBH I want him to play after week 6 so he faces Buffalo and Miami. Screw the league punishment. Its not a court of law and its not offering justice to the victims. Its just stinky PR crap.
Goodell wants a one year ban for Watson. NFL, Roger Goodell want at least year ban for ‘predatory’ Deshaun Watson (nypost.com)
Remember this dude had over 60 masseuses over this period and had sexual interactions with more than the number than have fought against him. The judge stated from four of the cases that she overviewed that the dude showed no remorse and preyed upon them. Add into the fact that theres billionaires paying goodell 65million a year to look after this league and haslam gave him that contract. Owners and the league (bar haslam) want this guy to disappear from the league quicker than kaepernick. He's not good for business. Sent from my M2007J20CG using Tapatalk
The sixty you claim, or the two dozen he settled with are irrelevant to his suspension even if not to public opinion. The only thing the NFL has on its own disciplinary record is four cases and the punishment, if any, can only be based on those.
11 games + $5 million fine Reached agreement between NFL + NFLPA. Watson magically returns week 13 @ Houston.
This is exactly what I expected once it came out that negotiations were going on: (6+17)/2 = 11.5, and he had apparently already agreed to a $5 million fine. Doesn't change that he's a POS human being.
But wait! He was going to sue the league! Still fucked up that a guy who bet on his team to win while he was currently inactive gets a year suspension and this piece of shit gets only 11 games.
Completely agree, but the biggest victory for the NFL here is that now this kind of thing, even with no criminal or civil court actions, has a precedent of about 12 games, instead of 6.
funny shit. they made sure to end that suspension ahead of the Texans game. The NFL court is a lot like Judge Steve Harvey or something