Shannon Sharpe accuser’s lawyer calls tape ‘key evidence,’ but refuses to release it

A legal fight is developing between former NFL player Shannon Sharpe and a woman referred to as Jane Doe, who has sued him for $50 million, accusing him of rape. A key part of the case is a supposed sex tape, which both sides have publicly admitted exists, but the actual contents of the video have not been revealed.

Warning: Details of alleged rape and sexual assault to follow

Jane Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, has made it clear that the video will not be shared with the media, calling it important evidence in the legal case, per TMZ. The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this month, includes claims that Sharpe committed rape multiple times near the end of a relationship that lasted almost two years.

Sharpe has strongly denied the accusations, calling the lawsuit an attempt to extort money from him. In his public response, he mentioned the alleged sex tape, which accidentally made the video a topic of public discussion.

Sharpe’s accuser refuses to release video evidence

Two days after the lawsuit was filed, Sharpe posted on Instagram, referring to a short video clip that he said was meant to make him look bad. He claimed the video was only a 30-second portion and argued that the full, unedited version should be seen to provide proper context, which he said would disprove the accusations. He dared Buzbee to release the entire video to the public.

Buzbee has firmly refused to release the video, saying it is critical evidence needed to win the lawsuit. He explained that the video only became public knowledge because Sharpe talked about it, not because Jane Doe or her legal team shared it. The video was reportedly given to Sharpe’s lawyers during mediation, giving them multiple chances to watch it, but they chose not to.

Buzbee’s choice to keep the video private is a strategic decision with several possible legal effects. By keeping the video confidential, it may limit the defense’s ability to argue against the accusations by offering different interpretations or questioning the video’s authenticity or context. This approach suggests the video will only be used in court, where strict rules about evidence will control how it is used and what impact it may have. Releasing the video publicly could influence potential jurors and harm the fairness of a future trial.

The legal fight will likely center heavily on the alleged sex tape and whether it can be used in court. Both sides will probably bring in experts to examine the video, check if it is real, and determine whether it supports or weakens the accusations.