Derrick Rose, a former MVP of the NBA, and two friends are being sued for allegedly gang raping a woman. The trial started in federal court on Tuesday.
Three days later, Rose still hasn’t shown up.
On Tuesday, when jury selection began, Rose was absent. Rose, now with the New York Knicks, did not appear in court that day so he could play in a preseason game against the Houston Rockets.
Rose played 25 minutes in the largely meaningless game, scoring 16 points. It was over by about 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Wednesday, when jury selection continued and both sides delivered their opening statements, Rose still wasn’t there. It’s unclear why because it only takes three hours to fly from Houston to Los Angeles where the trial is taking place.
He apparently cleared his absence on Wednesday with the judge, however.
.@JuddLegum Woman's attorney tried to highlight absence in opening, judge stopped him, reminded jury @drose was absent w his permission.
— Joel Rubin (@joelrubin) October 5, 2016
The judge did tell the jury that Rose would be in court on Thursday, when Rose’s accuser was scheduled to testify.
But when the case was scheduled to begin on Thursday, Rose was nowhere to be found.
Derrick Rose still hasn't shown up – nearly 20 minutes after trial opened. His side won't comment. also waiting on a late juror #DoevRose
— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 6, 2016
I hear a silver limo pulled up to LA courthouse, took one look at TV crews and pulled off. Jurors told D Rose expected today #DoevRose
— Julia Marsh (@juliakmarsh) October 6, 2016
Late juror so delay to start of #DoevRose. Jane Doe is here. Rose hasn't been seen yet. His codefendants Hampton and Allen are here.
— NancyDillonNYDN (@NancyDillonNYDN) October 6, 2016
Rose will not be able to avoid the courtroom forever. He is expected to be called as a witness by his own attorney to deny the allegation — and may even be called as an adverse witness by the plaintiff.
His absence from the courtroom, however, does create the risk that jurors will perceive that Rose isn’t taking the case seriously.
UPDATE: The New York Daily News has reported that Rose arrived in the courtroom at 10:43 a.m. PT, over two hours late.
Derrick Rose arrived at 10:43
— NancyDillonNYDN (@NancyDillonNYDN) October 6, 2016
He walked in with Doe on stand already. No expression on face, lawyers moved around so he could sit next to his attorney Courtney Palko.
— NancyDillonNYDN (@NancyDillonNYDN) October 6, 2016