Derrick Rose defence told lack of black jurors ‘tough luck’
LOS ANGELES — Potential jurors in a $21 million rape lawsuit against NBA star Derrick Rose were asked Tuesday what they know about the case, what basketball team they root for and whether they can set aside their own sexual moral beliefs and biases.
Rose, who is returning to the sport with a new team after several injuries, was not in the Los Angeles courtroom because the New York Knicks open their preseason in Houston the same day. He was expected to appear Thursday. His two friends and the woman who accused the trio of gang-rape attended jury selection.
Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald gave a panel of 50 prospective jurors an outline of the case, warning that they would hear testimony about sex acts and be exposed to vulgarity and profanity.
The woman, who dated Rose on and off for two years, claims he and two friends raped her while she was incapacitated in her apartment after a night of drinking in August 2013. Los Angeles police are still investigating.