07 as a gung-ho 18-year-old.But, after switching to the factory-backed Red Bull outfit this season from the family-run Tekno Autosports, the 27-year-old has been incredibly co

On Wednesday, a California federal jury cleared New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose and two of his friends of committing civil rape. A former girlfriend of the Knicks guard, identified as Jane Doe, had made the accusations against the three men, suing them for $21.5 million. ? ??Heres what you need to know about the jurys decision and the potential consequences for Rose both on and off the basketball court. ?What did Doe have to prove? ? The jury was considering three civil claims against Rose and his friends: sexual battery, battery and trespass. The most significant claim was for sexual battery -- i.e., rape. ? ?There was no dispute about whether Doe and the three men had sex. The issue was whether Doe consented to sex. Doe said she was too intoxicated to consent.To prove that, Doe had to show (1) that the effects of the drugs or alcohol prevented her from consenting; and (2) that Rose and his friends did not actually and reasonably think she was capable of giving consent.What did the jury decide? ? The jury decided that Doe didnt establish her claims by a preponderance of the evidence. Basically, this means she failed to show it was more likely than not that her version of the night was true.? Or said another way, the jury didnt believe that Does version of the night was 51 percent more likely to be true than Roses version of the events. ? ?How did the jury come to its decision? ? The eight jurors on the panel (six women and two men) had to come to a unanimous decision on each of Does claims in order for her to win.? ?The jury does not explain in the verdict its reasons for the decision. But after the trial, several jurors spoke with the media.Several members of the jury said they were swayed by the fact Doe did not have any physical evidence, such as a rape kit.One juror, identified as Jared, 25, said after the verdict that the jury panel did not find Does tears credible. He said, It felt like she was playing us.What does the decision mean for any possible criminal case against Rose? ??The verdict likely means there will not be any criminal charges or a criminal trial against Rose and the two men. ?The level of proof required to find guilt in a criminal trial (beyond a reasonable doubt) is much higher than the level of proof required in a civil trial (preponderance of the evidence).? ?So, if theres not enough evidence to find Rose liable in this civil case in which less proof is needed, its highly unlikely that there would be enough evidence to find him guilty in a criminal trial in which more proof is needed.? ?That is based on the existing evidence, however.? If evidence later surfaces that shows Rose and his friends committed a crime, criminal charges could be filed. But at this juncture, criminal charges are unlikely. ?What does the decision mean for Rose in terms of playing time? ? Rose is (and was always) free to rejoin the Knicks, who are wrapping up their preseason.On Wednesday, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said Rose, regardless of the verdict, wouldnt be playing in New Yorks preseason finale on Thursday.Rose is expected to start the season with the team on Oct. 25 in Cleveland. ?Whats next in the case?? ?Doe may file motions with the court asking to set aside the jury verdict.? She could argue that no reasonable jury could have found Rose not liable. If the court agrees with Doe, it would let her have a new trial or change the verdict in her favor.?Its unlikely that the court will do that, however, because the evidence was not so overwhelming in Does favor that there was just one reasonable conclusion. ?It was a case of he said, she said. So reasonable minds could have differed on whether to believe Doe or Rose.Can Doe file an appeal? ? Yes, Doe may appeal the verdict to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Shell have 30 days to file an appeal from the date the court enters the judgment for Rose and his friends, which will be after the post-trial motions.Even if Doe appealed, it would not impact Roses playing time.? Rose would not have to testify or get involved with the appeal; it can be handled by his attorneys alone. ?Adrienne Lawrence is a legal analyst who practiced law from 2008 to 2015 before joining ESPN.?Follow her on Twitter @AdrienneESPN.Cheap Marlins Jerseys China .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Cheap Miami Marlins Jerseys . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. http://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-martin-prado-jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Cheap Marlins Jerseys . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Jose Fernandez Jersey . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.When in doubt, just go crazy.And thats exactly what Shane van Gisbergen did in the opening race of the Sydney 500 on Saturday to clinch his first Supercars championship.The Holden gun finished third behind Red Bull Racing teammate Jamie Whincup for an unassailable 170-point lead with one race to go on Sunday.He becomes the first New Zealand-born driver to win an Australian touring car crown since Jim Richards in 1991.Its a pretty awesome feeling, the 27-year-old said.To finally be champion of your sport, a lifetime goal.It almost didnt happen.The Kiwi started on pole position but was jumped by Whincup and slipped back to sixth by the end of lap one.He then copped a drive-through penalty for spinning reigning champion Mark Winterbottoms Ford and fell towards the back of the grid.But a safety car with 25 laps to go helped shoot him up to ninth, before clawing his way up to third with some superb driving and brave passing.I knew people would take advantage if they had a shot and I was just too conservative, he said.I hesitated and it cost us.But once I was in that position, there was nothing to lose and I just went crazy. I hit everything except other people.Whincup, while disappointed to miss out on an unprecedented seventh title, said his intra-team rival deserved to win.Him and his crew deserve it more than anyone else, he said.The winner of the championship is the most consistent, and theyve been the most consistent.ddddddddddddVan Gisbergen had been considered a mercurial talent since he started racing in the category in 2007 as a gung-ho 18-year-old.But, after switching to the factory-backed Red Bull outfit this season from the family-run Tekno Autosports, the 27-year-old has been incredibly consistent and measured.He finished on the podium in each of the past eight races leading up to the finale, including Sandown, Bathurst and Gold Coast.Three of those were wins, while Whincup took out the other five.Van Gisbergens hot form continued on the streets of Olympic Park, setting a new lap record in practice on Friday before smashing it again in qualifying.Having seen Shane develop since he first came in the series to where he is now, mature and settled down, has been impressive to watch, said Holden Racing Team veteran Garth Tander, who finished the race second.The drive that he put in today after what happened in the early laps, to come back on the podium the way he did, is probably a sweeter way to win the championship.The season ends with a second 74-lap race on Sunday, the last time Sydney will host the finale before it heads to Newcastle in 2017. 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