Jury Finds for Taylor Swift in DJ Groping Case

DENVER (CN) – A federal jury deliberated for less than five hours Monday before finding a former Denver DJ liable for groping singer Taylor Swift at a meet-and-greet in 2013.

The eight-person jury also rejected the tortious interference claims that DJ David Mueller brought against Swift’s mother, Andrea Swift, and Frank Bell, Swift’s radio programming manager. Mueller had accused Swift and Bell of hijacking his $300,000 employment contract with KYGO after they reported to his employer that he had groped Taylor Swift’s bottom during a photo at a meet-and-greet.

Taylor Swift countersued Mueller on sexual assault and battery claims in the months after Mueller filed suit, and the jury awarded the singer her requested $1 in damages on Monday. Swift’s attorney, J. Douglas Baldridge, told the jury Monday morning in closing arguments that it was a “symbolic dollar” that had “immeasurable value in the scheme of things.”

“It means no means no,” Baldridge told the jury. “And it tells every woman that they will determine what is to be tolerated with their body.”

Swift’s publicist, Tree Paine, posted a statement from the singer online after the verdict.

“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 throughout this four-year ordeal and two-year long trial process,” Swift said.

“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.”

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