The jury sided with Taylor Swift in her assault case, and it’s a major win
Too often, sexual assault occurs with no legal consequences for the perpetrators. However, when it comes to the case of Taylor Swift countersuing former radio DJ David Mueller for alleged assault and battery, the jury ruled in favor of Swift after almost four hours of deliberation on August 14th. It’s a major win for the singer, but it’s also significant that a jury recognized that victims should not be blamed for their assaulter’s behavior.
Mueller had sued Swift for allegedly pressuring his former employer at the Denver radio station KYGO to fire him. Swift had claimed that Mueller groped her during a photo opp in 2013, so his lawsuit prompted her to countersue the DJ.
She wasn’t looking for money (in fact, she only asked for $1); she was asking not to be held responsible for his inappropriate actions.
On Mueller's firing Swift said “I am not going to allow your my client to make me feel like it is anyway my fault because it isn’t.” https://t.co/266Rbh6wBg
— Claudia Rosenbaum (@CJRosenbaum) August 10, 2017
On Friday, August 11th, the judge threw out Mueller’s lawsuit against Swift, stating that there was insufficient evidence. And while that was a reason to rejoice for Swift fans, the jury’s August 14th ruling is perhaps even more important — since the jury of six women and two men found that Mueller had indeed groped Swift four years ago.
Jury rules in favor of Taylor Swift and orders the DJ she accused of groping her to pay the pop star $1 in damages https://t.co/SZ1AQi50xL pic.twitter.com/wXFgHqqo5f
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 14, 2017
After the verdict, Swift released the following 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. "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."
Taylor Swift's statement. #TaylorSwiftTrial pic.twitter.com/cnmsLQ42KT
— Joe Fryer (@joefryer) August 14, 2017
When Swift took to the stand on Thursday, August 10th, she gave a strong, unwavering testimony that Mueller had grabbed her “bare ass cheek,” and she never backed down from her statement. It was courageous regardless of who she is, but Swift still recognized in her statement how her celebrity and fame gave her an advantage. She used that advantage for good — to not only right a wrong that had personally affected her, but to help future victims.
We applaud Swift for standing up to defend herself, and with the jury’s decision, she has made a massive and positive impact on the way that victims should be treated in court and by the public.
