The Derrick Rose verdict: What you need to know

ByADRIENNE LAWRENCE
October 19, 2016, 9:20 PM

— -- 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. ? ??

Here's what you need to know about the jury's 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 didn't 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 didn't believe that Doe's version of the night was 51 percent more likely to be true than Rose's 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 Doe's 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 Doe's 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 there's not enough evidence to find Rose liable in this civil case in which less proof is needed, it's 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, wouldn't be playing in New York's preseason finale on Thursday.

Rose is expected to start the season with the team on Oct. 25 in Cleveland. ?

What's 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.?It's unlikely that the court will do that, however, because the evidence was not so overwhelming in Doe's 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. She'll 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 Rose's 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.