Derrick Rose and his co-defendants were found not liable of the rape accusations brought against them from their accuser. Jane Doe was looking for over $21 million in damages from the defendants after claiming she was gang-raped by Rose and his friends.
A jury found Rose was not liable on all accusations and Rose expressed his gratitude after the case, courtesy of the AP.
Rose says he’s thankful that the jury rejected the lawsuit.
He said in a statement to The Associated Press that it was important to prove he did not do what he was accused of, even though he had to share private details of his personal life.
“I am thankful that the jury understood and agreed with me,” his statement said. “This experience and my sensitivity to it was deep. I am ready to put this behind me and focus on my family and career.”
Rose and his attorney were so thankful for the jury’s decision that they wanted to reward multiple jurors with some photos.
Don’t see this every day. @drose and atty posing with giddy jurors after verdict. #DoevRose pic.twitter.com/hbmxnPnyf6
— Joel Rubin (@joelrubin) October 19, 2016
Diana Moskovitz of Deadspin adds some more information on the picture.
The jury initially declined to speak to reporters, but later two jurors—identifying themselves by first name only—agreed to. Jared said Doe “didn’t do any of the steps to prove her own case” and “nothing added up to a correct statement.” Jared felt like Doe “was playing us,” and he believed witness Gabriel Chavez, who testified that Doe was a liar. In contrast, Jared said Rose and his friends seemed “genuine” and “honest.”
A juror named John echoed what Jared said, telling reporters there was “no true evidence.” The lies Jane Doe told in her text messages were a factor for John, as well as her asking Rose for money. “That was questionable for me,” he said.
Jared said he doesn’t watch sports, while John said he did but wasn’t a Rose fan. After speaking with reporters, both went back inside to get their pictures taken with Rose and his attorney Mark Baute.
While this might be a horrible thing to see from some, what could be equally worse is what the judge said to Rose after the verdict was announced. Julia Marsh of the New York Post reports the judge made a joke with Rose about him playing against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Best wishes,” Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald told Rose. “Except when the Knicks play the Lakers,” he joked.
It’s not a great idea to do this. You’d expect Rose to just leave immediately following being cleared of all claims but he stayed and posed for pictures. It’s not a great look on him and his legal team. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen often, if ever.
This decision in the case isn’t something to celebrate or applaud. Sure, Rose can now move on with his life but the personal damage is done. He’s going to carry this around with him forever, guilty or not. Sexual assault is a serious matter and shouldn’t come down to jokes about basketball and celebration pictures after a case.
