Former Creighton University basketball standout Maurice Watson Jr. struck a plea deal with prosecutors on Friday. The deal allows Watson's First Degree Sexual Assault charge to be dropped, and Watson plead no contest to a lesser charge of Third Degree Assault. Watson was sentenced to five days in jail, but was given credit for five days served.
The plea deal came after Watson's attorneys presented new evidence, including testimony that implied that the victim partook in sexual activity with another person within hours of the alleged sexual assault by Watson. In a statement, Watson's attorney Stu Dornan said they were pleased the charge was dropped.
"Maurice is a free man who can focus on his future. Over the course of this defense, we obtained information and evidence that was not known when the charge was filed. We discussed this information and evidence with the county attorney's office, and those discussions led to today's dismissal of the charge. Now, Maurice can focus on a very promising future basketball career, and his continued contributions to the community at large."
The sexual assault charge was filed back in February after a nineteen year old woman, who previously dated Watson, claimed he had pushed her into a bathroom while at a party at a house near 33rd and Poppleton. She said while in the bathroom, Watson forced her to perform oral sex and then raped her.
Evidence presented by Dornan showed that witnesses said the woman lead Watson into the bathroom, and when she came out of the bathroom didn't look upset or in any pain. Watson's attorneys also say that the accuser told witnesses to delete texts from their phones before turning them over to police. The Third-Degree Assault charge stems from a claim by another woman at the party, who stated that Watson had touched her inner thigh, then tried to get her to touch his penis. Since that charge is not of a sexual nature, Watson will not have to register as a sex offender.
Creighton University released a statement Friday afternoon, saying that they had fully cooperated in the investigation.
"This afternoon, Creighton University officials learned that the County Attorney’s office in Douglas County has amended the charges against a former student-athlete accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student. University officials not directly connected to the Athletics department cooperated fully with the investigation by law enforcement, and the subsequent processes of the justice system. In order to ensure the objectivity and integrity of the internal and external investigative processes, Men’s Basketball Coach Greg McDermott and others in the Athletics Department honored the University’s internal policy, which required them to refrain from contacting anyone involved in the investigation.The welfare of our students is the highest priority for Creighton University. As a faith-based institution, we seek the best for all students and, in this particular instance, pray for understanding and peace in the lives of those affected."
Watson was expelled from the university and is now focusing on rehabilitating a torn ligament in his knee in the hopes of playing professional basketball.