SEEKING SWIFT JUSTICE
Taylor, DJ in court showdown
SONGSTRESS TAYLOR Swift is about to sing in a whole different way.
Swift appeared in court in Denver for jury selection in a trial to settle opposing lawsuits filed over whether she was groped by disc jockey David Mueller in 2013.
Wearing a white dress under a black jacket, she looked on as lawyers and a judge tried to whittle down a pool of 60 potential jurors to an eight-member jury. Potential jurors had to answer dozens of questions, according to a pretrial survey obtained by TMZ.com. They were asked if they’d ever purchased a Swift album, attended one of her concerts or watched one of her videos.
Speculation swirled Monday around a photo the gossip site says Swift tried to keep from public view, arguing that it would prejudice the jury pool. A judge ruled in her favor months ago. It shows Taylor standing between Mueller and his girlfriend. It’s not clear how the photo leaked or whether the image is the one that shows the alleged groping.
The 27-year-old pop star is slated to take the stand later this week. She and Mueller, who was clad in a dark suit, would not look at each other during the Monday session.
In the Denver case, Mueller, 55, sued Swift after he was fired for allegedly violating the morality clause in the contract.
Mueller claimed that Swift went to his bosses at all-country KYGO radio and accused him of groping her. He was fired from his $150,000-a-year job two days later. Mueller wants $3 million and denies he ever touched her inappropropriately. His lawyer has said a fan likely groped the songbird.
Swift countersued, alleging sexual assault by Mueller. She says she wants to hold Mueller accountable and is seeking $1.
Swift claims he groped her at a photo shoot, but denied doing anything to get him fired. The incident took place at a June 2, 2013, meet-and-greet before a concert performance.
“He took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my a-- cheek, and no matter how much I scooted over, it was still there,” Swift says in court documents.
“It was not an accident, it was completely intentional, and I have never been so sure of anything in my life.”
Swift said she decided not to file a complaint with the police, but instead keep it a confidential matter.
Meanwhile, back in New York, a judge ordered a psychiatric exam in the case of an obsessed fan who stalked the blond diva at her Manhattan apartment building. Mohammed Jaffar, 29, repeatedly went to the “Shake It Off” singer’s home in Tribeca earlier this year and tried to get in contact with the megastar despite being shooed away by building security.
If found unfit to stand trial, Jaffar will be sent to a psychiatric facility.
Swift — known for a parade of hits that include “You Belong With Me” and “I Knew You Were Trouble” — is worth an estimated $280 million. She has won 10 Grammy Awards, and is the only woman in history to have won album of the year twice.
Security is expected to be tight and courtroom seats in short supply as fans try to get a glimpse of Swift. The trial in Denver is expected to last two weeks.