Taylor Swift sexual assault trial

Mueller v. Swift
CourtUnited States District Court for the District of Colorado
Full case name David Mueller v. Taylor Swift
DecidedAugust 14, 2017
Court membership
Judge sittingWilliam J. Martínez

The Taylor Swift sexual assault trial was a legal case held in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The trial involved David Mueller, a former DJ, filing for defamation against the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. He alleged that she had him wrongfully terminated following an incident at a 2013 meet-and-greet.[1] Swift then counter-sued Mueller for battery and sexual assault, seeking a symbolic $1 in damages. The trial lasted one week, beginning on August 7, 2017, with both Mueller and Swift appearing in court. It concluded on the evening of August 14, 2017, with the jury ruling in Swift's favor and ordering Mueller to pay her $1.[2]

The trial was subject to significant media attention by virtue of Swift's status as a high-profile celebrity. News and media outlets reported on the details of the case and the public's reaction daily.[3] In a statement released by Swift following the trial, she revealed her reasoning for counter-suing was to empower other victims of sexual assault.[4] In the statement, she also pledged to donate to organizations that help fund legal costs of sexual assault victims who choose to defend themselves.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference bill1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Taylor Swift wins assault case against DJ". BBC. August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  3. ^ "Taylor Swift sexual assault case: Why is it significant?". BBC News. August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  4. ^ Miller, Julie (August 14, 2017). "Taylor Swift Wins Sexual-Assault Trial, Vows to Help Other Victims". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2019.