James Harden faces lawsuit over negligence in nephew's sexual assault case
- Marisa Watley has filed a lawsuit against Justice Armani Blackburn for sexual assault and claims James Harden is negligent in security measures.
- The incident took place during a New Year’s Eve party at Harden's home in Texas, where Watley's friends were removed by Harden's security.
- The lawsuit seeks significant damages and aims to highlight the responsibility of security staff in preventing assaults.
In December 2024, a sexual assault and rape incident occurred during a New Year’s Eve party hosted by NBA player James Harden at his home in Harris County, Texas. Marisa Watley, the plaintiff, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Justice Armani Blackburn, Harden's nephew, sexually assaulted and raped her during the event. The legal action states that Harden is being accused of negligence for allegedly inadequate responses from his in-home security staff when they removed two of Watley’s friends from the premises while she remained inside. Watley asserts that had the security acted responsibly, her alleged assault could have been averted. The lawsuit centers around the events of the New Year’s Eve party where Watley alleges that her friends’ attempts to ensure her safety were disregarded when they were removed. The claim involves assertions that Harden’s security team mismanaged the situation by preventing her friends from checking on her and instead safeguarding Blackburn, the alleged assailant. Watley has expressed her confusion over the actions of Harden’s security team and emphasizes the moral obligation security personnel have to protect guests, particularly women in precarious situations. As a result of these traumatic events, Watley is pursuing a jury trial in the lawsuit, seeking economic, compensatory, and punitive damages totaling $100,000. The overarching issue brought to light is the responsibility of security staff in situations that can escalate to potential harm. Legal representatives of Watley are determined to hold both Blackburn and Harden accountable for their alleged negligence and misconduct. This case not only highlights the serious consequences stemming from sexual assault allegations but also emphasizes the importance of responsible security measures at events, especially in regard to women’s safety. The unfolding situation bears significant implications for how security teams operate in social gatherings and sets a precedent for future cases concerning negligence and liability in similar contexts.