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| Taylor Swift |
Pop star Taylor Swift has won a key victory in her court battle
with ex-radio DJ David Mueller, whom she claims groped her at a 2013 concert.
with ex-radio DJ David Mueller, whom she claims groped her at a 2013 concert.
Mr Mueller, 55, originally sued the pop star for $3m
(£2.3m), saying she cost him his job.
(£2.3m), saying she cost him his job.
His claim was dismissed on Friday in a Denver court.
US District Judge William Martinez ruled that Ms Swift was
not liable, as Mr Mueller had not proved she set out to get him fired.
not liable, as Mr Mueller had not proved she set out to get him fired.
The DJ made the same claims against the singer’s mother
Andrea Swift, and her radio liaison, Frank Bell. A jury will now decide if they
are accountable for Mr Mueller’s sacking.
Andrea Swift, and her radio liaison, Frank Bell. A jury will now decide if they
are accountable for Mr Mueller’s sacking.
Ms Swift, 27, has countersued the DJ for allegedly groping
her after she agreed to pose for a photo with him and his girlfriend.
her after she agreed to pose for a photo with him and his girlfriend.
She is seeking a symbolic $1 in damages, which she has
pledged to donate to charity.
pledged to donate to charity.
The ruling against Mr Mueller came on the fifth day of the
trial.
trial.
Ms Swift’s ex-bodyguard gave evidence on Friday, backing her
sex assault claims by testifying that he saw the DJ reach under her skirt.
sex assault claims by testifying that he saw the DJ reach under her skirt.
Greg Dent told the Colorado court he “did not see his
hand touch her physically”, but “saw his hand under her skirt”.
hand touch her physically”, but “saw his hand under her skirt”.
The alleged assault is said to have occurred in 2013 during
a Denver stopover on the singer’s Red tour.
a Denver stopover on the singer’s Red tour.
Mr Mueller, then a host on the radio station KYGO, had been
invited to meet her before the show.
invited to meet her before the show.
Ms Swift complained to KYGO and the station fired Mr Mueller
two days later.
two days later.
Mr Dent, who no longer works for Ms Swift, told the court he
was steps away when Mr Mueller posed with his girlfriend and the pop star.
was steps away when Mr Mueller posed with his girlfriend and the pop star.
“She reacted, pushed her skirt down and moved over closer
to [Mr Mueller’s girlfriend]. So in my opinion, I knew he touched her,” he
said.
to [Mr Mueller’s girlfriend]. So in my opinion, I knew he touched her,” he
said.