Derrick Rose may be embroiled in legal proceedings throughout the 2016-17 season after all. According to multiple reporters on the scene in Los Angeles, Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald is considering issuing a mistrial in the $21.5 million civil suit alleging that the New York Knicks star and two of his friends raped a 30-year-old woman.
Judge overseeing the $21.5 million civil rape trial against New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose said he is seriously considering a mistrial
— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/DianaMoskovitz/status/785871129072152576
Rose’s lawyers presented their motion for a mistrial because Jane Doe’s team failed to originally provide them with texts that could prove pertinent to the trial’s outcome. Attorneys for the plaintiff defended their negligence by noting that she had other representation when the texts in question were originally provided. Fitzgerald, though, is apparently very dismayed by the careless nature with which Doe’s attorneys have presented exhibits throughout the trial.
Judge said missing texts give "credence to allegations which are now being made by the defense..It might very well be a mistrial," judge sez
— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/DianaMoskovitz/status/785873370814357504
"Let me be very blunt with you. You have been very careless with these exhibits," said Judge Michael Fitzgerald Tuesday morning. #DoevRose
— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016
There’s no timeline for the judge to rule on the motion of Rose’s team, and there’s a chance this case could be called back to court if a mistrial is called. However, it’s worth noting that Fitzgerald is wary of extending the case much further. Why? Out of respect for not just Rose’s job responsibilities, but the jury’s time commitment, too.
Judge he added he was hesitant to call off the trial bc jury has already spent a week on the case/ the NBA regular season starts on Oct. 25
— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016
Judge says he's "not thrilled' about requiring Rose to miss regular season games "not because he's a celebrity who gets special treatment"
— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/WerlySportsLaw/status/785878071861612544
The Knicks open the season on Oct. 25 at Quicken Loans Arena against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rose has missed his team’s previous two preseason games while attending the trial in Los Angeles.