FIVE THINGS ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT IN COURT

1 WHAT’S AT ISSUE?

With Taylor Swift looking on, potential jurors in her lawsuit against an ex-Denver radio host were asked Monday whether they had ever been inappropriately touched or wrongly accused of groping someone. Those are issues at the centre of the case. A questionnaire released as jury selection began in the duelling lawsuits also asked candidates if they had seen any pictures related to the case — a possible reference to a photo that shows DJ David Mueller with his right hand behind the pop superstar, below her waist, before a 2013 concert in Denver.

2 WHO DID WHAT?

Swift claims Mueller, then 51, grabbed her on the buttock during a meet-and-greet photo session at the show. Her lawyers have called the photo “damning” proof that Mueller groped her. Mueller, who also attended jury selection, denies the allegation and says the photo only shows him trying to jump into the frame. Swift, 23 at the time, and Mueller are both smiling in the picture. In his lawsuit, Mueller claims he was fired from his job at a country music station after Taylor’s team wrongfully told his boss that Mueller had groped the singer-songwriter. Swift’s countersuit against Mueller claims sexual assault.

3 WHO IS ON THE JURY?

The final, eight-member jury will be chosen from a pool of 60 candidates, court spokesman Jeff Colwell said. The process could last through Tuesday, with opening statements to follow. One juror was dismissed over his answer to the question,“In a lawsuit between David Mueller and Taylor Swift would you have bias for or against either Taylor Swift or David Mueller?”The potential juror answered,“She seems petty and spiteful.”

4 WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The case is being heard in federal court because Swift and Mueller live in different states — Swift in Nashville, Tenn., Mueller in Colorado — and damages at stake exceed US$75,000. Mueller is seeking at least US$3 million in damages. Swift is seeking a verdict that awards her US$1, while holding Mueller responsible and “serving as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts,” her lawsuit says.

5 WILL THEY SETTLE?

The trial is expected to last about two weeks. But according to court documents, it’s unlikely that either side will settle. Swift and Mueller are both expected to testify, along with Mueller’s former boss and members of Swift’s entourage.