LOS ANGELES (AFP) – A Los Angeles judge said Tuesday he is mulling a mistrial in the civil rape case against NBA star Derrick Rose after lawyers for the plaintiff were accused of withholding key evidence.
Federal Judge Michael Fitzgerald said he was considering declaring the trial invalid because lawyers for Rose were not given access to several text messages they claim are essential to their case until the player was on the witness stand.
Fitzgerald described the situation as “careless’’ and ordered attorneys for Rose’s accuser to prove the messages had been disclosed in good time before he makes a ruling on a motion filed by lawyers for the New York Knicks player.