New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose is about to have a civil trial begin in which he is being accused of rape. This has already been a highly publicized trial before it's even begun, and Rose and the Knicks have had to answer countless questions about it up until this point. That's not the only thing Rose has to worry about with this situation though. In a letter from the Los Angeles Police Department, the LAPD confirmed they have an open criminal investigation going in which they're protecting the accuser's identity during the investigation.

From the New York Daily News:

In a letter addressed to the lawyer of Rose's "Jane Doe" accuser, the LAPD confirmed they have an open criminal investigation into Derrick Rose regarding the rape accusations levied against the Knicks guard. The letter, written by an LAPD detective, noted that the alleged victim "exercised her right to confidentiality" when filing the report. The letter -- and the detective's testimony -- will be used to persuade the judge in the $21.5 million civil case to change his ruling allowing Jane Doe's identity to be revealed.

In what was already a very serious and sensitive situation for everybody involved, this becoming a criminal trial has even greater implications for Rose, who has maintained his innocence throughout this entire process. The civil suit for $21.5 million will likely feel like nothing in comparison to what Rose could be facing should criminal charges and a trial come to light.

Knicks president Phil Jackson has previously said the allegations against Rose are not concerning to the organization.