Chris Brown wants another chance in his dog-bite case after a jury awarded his former housekeeper $12.9 million. The singer believes the jury heard information about his past that unfairly hurt his case. He now wants a new trial and claims the Rihanna assault case was a big factor. A judge has not yet decided whether he will get one.
Chris Brown says Rihanna assault evidence unfairly influenced $12.9M dog-bite verdict
According to TMZ, Brown filed court documents seeking a new trial in the case involving his former housekeeper, Maria Avila. Avila filed a lawsuit against Brown for a dog attack that caused her to suffer serious injuries at his Los Angeles residence. Brown declined to accept any liability for her injuries. The case ultimately resulted in a $12.9 million judgment in favor of Avila.
Before the trial, Brown asked the court to keep his 2009 felony domestic violence conviction out of the case. The conviction involved his attack on his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. Brown argued that the incident had no connection to the dog-bite lawsuit. He also stated that the evidence might influence the jury against him.
The judge allowed testimony about the conviction despite Brown’s objections. According to Brown, the incident took place 17 years ago when he was 20. He now claims that allowing the jury to hear about the arrest hurt his chances in the case. Brown feels that the facts contributed to the large judgment against him.
Brown filed his request after the court awarded Avila the $12.9 million judgment. Now he asks the court to give him a new trial rather than accepting the result. The judge has not yet decided on his request. For now, Brown must wait for the court to decide whether the case will go before another jury.
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