Judge dismisses sexual assault case against free agent NFL kicker Brandon McManus
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Brandon McManus #10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks off of the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
A judge in Florida dismissed a case against former Washington Commanders kicker Brandon McManus that said he sexually assaulted two women on a team plane to London.
Judge Michael S. Sharrit ruled that per Florida law the two women's usage of "Jane Doe I" and "Jane Doe II" pseudonyms does not meet the "exceptional case" criteria required to warrant party anonymity.
Sharrit added that "fairness requires Plaintiffs be prepared to stand behind their charges publicly in the same way Defendant McManus must openly refute them."
"Most defendants in sexual assault cases file these types of motions thinking that the victims won't proceed if they have to publicly reveal their names," Tony Buzbee said in a statement to ESPN. "We anticipated this ruling. To be clear, these women have no intention to run and hide, and will comply with the court's order in a timely fashion. We look forward to continuing to pursue this important case."
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Washington Commanders release kicker Brandon McManus after women sue for sexual assault
Kicker Brandon McManus was released by the Washington Commanders on Sunday, in the aftermath of two women suing him for sexually assaulting them on a trans-Atlantic flight.
Doe I and Doe II say McManus was rubbing and grinding himself against them while in flight as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The flight "quickly turned into a party," the suit alleges, as McManus threw $100 bills at flight attendants in exchange for dancing inappropriately for him.
McManus "smirked and walked away" after Doe II confronted him. Doe I says that one of McManus' teammates looked ashamed of McManus' behavior when she made eye contact with him during McManus' first assault.
The Washington Commanders released McManus shortly after the suit was filed. He remains a free agent.
McManus was 30-for-37 on field goals last year in his lone season with Jacksonville. He spent his previous nine seasons with the Denver Broncos.
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