Posted in Sexual Assault Lawyer
Sexual Assault Lawyer Washington DC
Taylor Swift’s civil trial against former radio host David Mueller for alleged assault and battery began Aug. 8, 2017 in Denver, Colorado and included four days of testimony. The superstar singer filed a countersuit against the disgraced DJ in response to his $3 million lawsuit, in which he alleged that his career in radio had been ruined by what he claimed was a false groping accusation during a pre-concert meet-and-greet event in June 2013.
In the 2015 lawsuit, Mueller sued Swift, the singer’s mom Andrea Swift, and radio promotions director Frank Bell, accusing them of interfering with his $150,000-a-year contract as a Denver radio DJ by pressuring his employer, KYGO radio, to fire him after the alleged incident. Mueller was fired two days after the meet-and-greet by his station for alleged violation of the morality clause in his contract.
During the civil trial, each side referenced a hotly disputed photo of Swift, Mueller, and Mueller’s then-girlfriend, Shannon Melcher, at the 2013 meet-and-greet during the singer’s Red tour. In the photo of the trio, which was referenced several times in the trial, Mueller’s hand was hidden from view, each side claiming the hand was in a different position on the celebrity’s body.
Mueller’s attorney, Gabriel McFarland, claimed the photo did not show any inappropriate touching. Mueller went on the stand and testified that he had not inappropriately touched Swift, stating that he had merely touched her arm and ribs while “jostling” for the photo.
However, Swift testified to the contrary two days later, rejecting Mueller’s explanation of the event in question. Swift testified, “This was not jostling. He did not touch my rib. He did not touch my arm. … He grabbed my bare ass.” During the trial, Andrea Swift also mother testified that her daughter was visibly upset after the incident.
After nearly four hours of deliberation, a Denver jury ruled in favor of pop star. The jury, which was comprised of six women and two men, also found the singer’s mother, not liable for tortious interference. Additionally, Bell was also found not liable for tortious interference.
In a statement, Swift thanked the judge and her attorneys for “fighting for me and anyone who feels silenced by a sexual assault.”
“I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this,” Swift added in the statement. “My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard. Therefore, I will be making donations in the near future to multiple organizations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves.”
Judge William Martinez dismissed Swift as a defendant in Mueller’s suit after ruling that there was insufficient evidence to show that Swift had acted improperly.
Following the ruling, Swift said in a statement, “I want to thank Judge William J. Martinez and the jury for their careful consideration, my attorneys Doug Baldridge, Danielle Foley, Jay Schaudies and Katie Wright for fighting for me and anyone who feels silenced by a sexual assault, and especially anyone who offered their support throughout this four-year ordeal and two-year long trial process.”
Mueller’s lawyer, Gabe McFarland told Rolling Stone, “I’m disappointed for Mr. Mueller, but respect the jury’s decision.”
The jury also ruled in favor of Swift’s assault and battery countersuit, which forced Mueller to pay Swift a single $1, meant to serve as a symbol.
Following the singer’s win, Swift pledged to make donations to “multiple organizations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves.”
