Taylor Swift Wins Assault Case Against DJ, Awarded Symbolic US$1 in Damages
An eight-member jury has sided with Taylor Swift in her countersuit against a fired radio DJ in Denver who is now forced to pay the singer a symbolic US$1 (F$2) after groping her four years ago.
The pop singer accused former radio host David Mueller of groping her during a meet-and-greet photo session in June 2013 at the Pepsi Center.
After nearly four hours of deliberating, the jury, comprised of six women and two men, ruled in favor of Swift.
Mueller will be required to pay US$1 in damages to the 27-year-old songstress.
The jury also found the singer’s mother, Andrea Swift, not liable for tortious interference.
After the verdict was announced, Swift hugged her attorneys and her, teary-eyed mother before mouthing the words ‘thank you’ to the jury. Mueller did not even glance at his attorneys and remained expressionless.
‘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,’ Swift said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
‘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. 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.’
Baldridge also gave a brief statement outside of the courthouse.
He said: ‘I think it’s a new day, because someone with the guts and the courage to stand up with absolutely no upside in doing so—that being Taylor Swift—has told everyone, ‘This is it, the line’s drawn.’’
Mueller had first sued the singer, her mother and radio promotions director Frank Bell in 2015. He had accused them of interfering with his $150,000-a-year contract as a radio DJ in Denver by pressuring his employer, KYGO radio, to fire him.
Bell was also found not liable for tortious interference.
The verdict came after the 27-yearold singer cried in court on Monday as Mueller’s lawyer claimed in his closing argument that a photo proves the former DJ wouldn’t have been able to put his hand under her skirt.
The photo, which Swift’s legal team used as evidence for much of the trial, shows Mueller, 55, with his arm behind Swift who is leaning away.
My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard. . Therefore, I will be making donations in the near future to multiple organisations that help Taylor Swift Celebrity sexual assault victims defend themselves.’