A $90 million dog attack lawsuit against singer Chris Brown has ended in a mistrial after the court dismissed proceedings shortly after the trial began, according to TMZ. The case was brought by former housekeeper Maria Avila, who accused Brown of being responsible for injuries she allegedly suffered during a dog attack at his Los Angeles home in 2020. Avila claimed she experienced serious physical and emotional injuries while taking out the trash at the property.
Mistrial Declared Over Juror Misconduct
Reports indicate that the trial officially started after a jury was selected, but the judge declared a mistrial soon after proceedings began. The decision reportedly stemmed from a juror who allegedly searched for information about the case before the trial and shared details with others, raising concerns about the fairness of the proceedings.
Brown attended court to defend himself against the claims. When leaving the courthouse, he addressed the mistrial, saying, “It happens.” He also reacted to Avila's reported $90 million damages request, calling the amount “crazy.”
Legal Disputes and Previous Motions
The lawsuit has involved several legal disputes between both sides. Brown denied wrongdoing and argued that he should not be held responsible for the alleged injuries. His legal team previously succeeded in blocking references to his 2009 domestic violence case involving Rihanna from being mentioned during the trial.
Meanwhile, Avila's side pushed to present evidence related to the injuries she allegedly suffered. A security guard previously claimed in a deposition that Avila and her family received a payment of between $30,000 and $40,000 following the incident.
Next Steps
With the mistrial declared, the case will likely require further court proceedings before a new trial date is determined. Both parties may need to prepare for a retrial.
