Former NBA star Dwight Howardhas petitioned the court docket to seal particular proof, notably textual content messages exchanged along with his accuser, Stephen Harper, within the ongoing lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault.
In keeping with court docket paperwork obtained by RadarOnline.com, Howard argued that sealing these texts was essential to determine vital protection information however contended that their sexually specific content material warranted privateness safety.
In a latest movement to dismiss the whole lawsuit, Howard requested the court docket to forestall public entry to the contested textual content messages. His authorized workforce argued that the lawsuit and the texts had been being exploited to fulfill personal vendettas and create public scandal, particularly contemplating Howard’s standing as a public determine.
A 3rd social gathering turned concerned within the intercourse
The lawsuit, filed earlier this yr by Harper, alleges assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional misery, and false imprisonment.
Harper claims to have met the previous Los Angeles Lakers star on Instagram, resulting in specific textual content exchanges and an invite to Howard’s residence. The encounter took an sudden flip, with Howard allegedly involving one other particular person named Kitty, leading to nonconsensual acts.
Howard vehemently denies all allegations, admitting solely to a consensual encounter.
Howard awaits the decide’s ruling
He alleges that the texts submitted by Harper had been doctored and portrays the case as a product of unrequited love, suggesting Harper’s misery stems from Howard ending communication after their one-night stand.
Whereas Howard awaits a decide’s ruling on the movement to dismiss and the request to seal proof, he’s concurrently embroiled in a custody battle along with his ex, Tiffany Render, in a separate lawsuit.
