Editor’s Observe: The next story offers with sexual assault, and could also be distressing for some readers.
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A circuit court docket decide in Florida has dismissed a lawsuit two girls filed in opposition to former NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars that accused McManus of sexually assaulting them on the staff’s abroad flight to London in 2023.
Decide Michael S. Sharrit granted a movement to dismiss and wrote in his order that the case doesn’t meet “distinctive” standards required for the ladies to have anonymity. The ladies used pseudonyms “Jane Doe I” and “Jane Doe II” within the lawsuit.
“Equity requires Plaintiffs be ready to face behind their prices publicly in the identical means Defendant McManus should brazenly refute them,” Sharrit wrote.
The ladies have 10 days to file an amended criticism utilizing their authorized names, which their lawyer stated they’d do.
“Most defendants in sexual assault circumstances file these kinds of motions considering that the victims received’t proceed in the event that they should publicly reveal their names,” lawyer Tony Buzbee stated in a press release. “We anticipated this ruling. To be clear, these girls haven’t any intention of operating and hiding and can adjust to the court docket’s order in a well timed style. We look ahead to persevering with to pursue this vital case.”
McManus’ lawyer, Brett Gallaway, known as the allegations “baseless.”
“We look ahead to him returning to the NFL taking part in subject as quickly as potential,” Gallaway stated.
The Washington Commanders launched McManus days after the lawsuit was filed in Might.
The ladies had been working as flight attendants on Jacksonville’s constitution flight to London final September and accused McManus of attempting to kiss certainly one of them and grinding and rubbing up in opposition to each of them whereas they had been attempting to work. They’re looking for in extra of $1 million in damages.
The go well with claimed the journey “rapidly was a celebration” as McManus and different gamers disregarded the flight attendants’ private house, air journey security and federal legislation. The ladies stated McManus handed out $100 payments to inspired them and different flight attendants to drink and dance inappropriately.