It's been four years since the Pepsi Center incident that started it all, but the civil trial in Denver between pop singer Taylor Swift and former KYGO radio host David Mueller is finally underway.
Jury selection began on Monday, August 7, at downtown Denver's federal courthouse in the showdown between Taylor Swift and former local radio DJ, David Mueller. Swift is expected to testify during the trial, which is expected to last approximately two weeks. Opening statements are expected to occur on Tuesday. It all began on June 2, 2013, during Swift's "Red" album tour. She was attending a meet-and-greet before the concert at the Pepsi Center, when she met Mueller (the cohost of the KYGO morning show "Ryno and Jackson") and his girlfriend and posed for a photo. Swift's bodyguard sought Mueller out later and confronted him with the allegation that he had groped Swift's buttocks underneath her dress during the photo op. Mueller denied it and was ultimately escorted off the premises. He was also fired from his job after Swift's people informed KYGO of the incident. Now he's suing Swift for $3 million in damages, saying he was wrongfully accused and that he lost his $150,000/year salary and his reputation and career as a result.Right as the moment came for us to pose for the photo, he took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my ass cheek, and no matter how much I scooted over, it was still there," Swift's deposition says. "It was completely intentional. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”Crazily enough, the very photo from the photo op exists, and Swift can be seen awkwardly leaning in to Mueller's girlfriend, with Mueller's hand very obviously groping her rear-end. Hmmm. [caption id="attachment_20838" align="aligncenter" width="718"]
Image courtesy of TMZ[/caption]
Swift is countersuing, saying that she wants to "serve as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts." She is only seeking a $1 verdict, promising in court documents that any money she does win will be given to nonprofit groups that protect women from sexual assault.
The court case is expected to be highly publicized and conducted under heightened security, however, die-hard Swift fans could land a coveted seat in the courtroom -- if they behave themselves and get there very early! Only 32 members of the public will be allowed into the courtroom each morning, and another 32 in the afternoon. An additional 75 people will be allowed to watch the trial in an overflow room on CCTV. The public is allowed to begin lining up for courtroom admission passes every morning at 6 a.m. each day throughout the duration of the trial. However, no fan clothing, accessories, posters, or signs of any kind will be allowed. Also, no electronic devices, photography, or recording will be allowed in the courtroom; phones can be checked at security.
The trial will be taking place at the Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse at 901 19th St., in Denver.
Do you plan to go to the trial? What do you think about this case? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you get a seat in the courtroom, be sure to let us know!
