The highly divisive and highly publicized sexual assault trial of Derrick Rose that has hung like a cloud over him during the off-season and since being traded to the New York Knicks is over.
Rose and his friends were cleared of all and any potential sexual assault charges in relation to the case.
BREAKING: Jury clears Derrick Rose & two friends of all charges in sexual assault civil suit. pic.twitter.com/mEJuucKYwI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 19, 2016
For a brief background on the situation, Rose’s ex-girlfriend claimed that Rose and two of his friends gang raped her at her Los Angeles apartment in 2013 while she was incapacitated from drugs and alcohol.
Rose and the other defendants claimed that the encounter was consensual and the eight member jury ruled that way in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday afternoon.
Here is Rose’s statement on the decision:
“I am thankful that the jury understood and agreed with me,” Rose said in a statement to The Associated Press. “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 has missed much of the preseason including five games and seven practices while attending the civil trial, but is now guaranteed and available to play and start for the Knicks on opening night against the Cavaliers.
This decision will allow Rose and the Knicks to move forward this season and enables the former MVP to completely focus on restoring his image and career in the final season of the five-year, $94 million extension he signed during the 2011-12 season.
