Civil Lawsuit Strategy and Procedural Maneuvering
Watson’s civil case has been marked by procedural missteps and strategic positioning. He initially missed the deadline to respond to Ibrahim’s lawsuit, prompting a judge to enter a default judgment against him on June 4. However, his legal team successfully petitioned the court to set aside the default, securing an extension until June 6 to file his response, which he did.
This procedural fumble could signal either overwhelmed legal representation or a calculated strategy to delay proceedings. Watson is now demanding a jury trial, a decision that could prove risky given the graphic nature of the viral video evidence.
Legal experts anticipate Watson’s next move will likely be filing a motion for stay of proceedings, arguing that the ongoing criminal case could prejudice his civil defense. This is a common strategy employed by defendants facing parallel criminal and civil proceedings, as statements made in the civil case could potentially be used against them in criminal court.
