Derrick Rose is set to go on trial on his birthday. October 4th is when the trial against the former NBA MVP will begin. A 30-year-old woman is accusing that Rose and two of his friends raped her in 2013 while she was incapacitated from drinking. Rose denies her claims and contends he had consensual sex with the woman.
While there are very differing stories from both parties, one thing had remained constant. The woman accusing Rose of these crimes has remained anonymous. Until recently.
Last week, media outlets actually outed the woman shortly after her and her lawyers talked to the media and held a number of press conferences. She detailed more of her side of the story and what she wanted to get across before the trial gets set to begin.
Now it appears her anonimity will no longer be honored by the courts.
Following from an Associated Press report, courtesy of NBC Sports.
A Los Angeles federal judge has ruled a woman accusing NBA star Derrick Rose of rape cannot remain anonymous at her upcoming civil trial.
U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald ruled Tuesday.
The woman has only been identified in documents as Jane Doe. The Associated Press typically does not identify alleged victims of sexual abuse.
Rose’s lawyer argued his client would be harmed if the woman’s identity wasn’t revealed, and he cited interviews and a press conference she conducted last week as a reason to use her real name.
We also agree with the AP and will not be releasing her name out of respect of her wishes.
Despite this ruling by the judge, the accuser plans to continue her case against Rose. Julia Marsh of the New York Post reports that she’s still pushing to get justice.
“She’s prepared to go to trial,” the woman’s attorney, Waukeen McCoy told The Post.
“We warned her early on,” the lawyer said, that she might have to be outed in order to proceed.
McCoy said his client, a 30-year-old student who once dated Rose, will be identified on the first day of trial, Oct. 4.
McCoy, the woman’s attorney, said his client is still “afraid that people will be looking at her, glaring at her and harassing her,” once she is unmasked.
“She wants to proceed with her life without being a target,” McCoy said. But “she also understands she’s involved in a lawsuit,” he added.
October 4th is quickly approaching but before Rose takes to the courts, he has to take to the Knicks media day set to kickoff next Monday.
