On Wednesday afternoon, Derrick Rose and his two friends, Randall Hampton and Ryan Allen, were cleared of all charges in their rape trial. A jury found them not liable in the $21.5 million civil lawsuit that was filed against them. And the reaction that the judge and jurors in the case had to the conclusion of the trial is not sitting well with most people right now.
Following the reading of the verdict, as Rose’s accuser sat silent with "her head buried in her hands in a prayer position" according to the New York Post, Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald reportedly wished Rose well and made a joke in his direction. "Best wishes," he said. "Except when the Knicks play the Lakers."
And once Rose walked outside the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, he was reportedly asked by several jurors to take photos. According to Los Angeles Times reporter Joel Rubin, the "giddy jurors" stood around and snapped photos with Rose and his attorney Mark Baute:
As you might imagine, people are up in arms about what the judge said as well as what the jurors did when they asked Rose to take photos with them just minutes after handing down their verdict. Here are some of the reactions to Rubin’s photo, which has been making the rounds on social media over the last hour:
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Regardless of where you stand on Rose or the outcome of his rape trial, it’s probably safe to say that this is not a great look for anyone involved. And it’s going to leave a bad taste in a lot of peoples’ mouths as they try and absorb what happened at the very end of the case.