Taylor Swift wins $1 in groping case against ex-radio DJ David Mueller

A  jury sided with Taylor Swift and determined her allegations that ex-radio DJ David Mueller groped her at a meet-and-greet four years ago are valid , requiring Mueller to pay out a symbolic $1 to the pop star.

"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 anyone who offered their support throughout this four-year ordeal and two-year long trial process," Swift said in a statement.

"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.

The case hinged on an alleged 2013 incident at a photo opportunity before one of Swift's concerts at the Pepsi Center in Denver, where Swift says Mueller reached underneath her skirt, grabbed her backside and refused to let go as they posed for a picture.

"He stayed latched onto my bare a-- cheek as I lurched away from him," Swift told the jury.

Mueller maintained his innocent throughout. He lost his on-air job at the KYGO radio station in 2013 after Swift's groping allegations surfaced, prompting him to sue the pop star two years later for costing him his job with her "false" claims. Swift then countersued, alleging sexual assault.

During his testimony last Tuesday, Mueller contended he may have made contact with Swift's ribcage or ribs during their brief encounter, but asserted he never touched her inappropriately.
"It's a humiliating experience to be accused of something that despicable," he testified.

He had originally sought $3 million in damages in his lawsuit against the "Blank Space" singer. Judge Martinez tossed Mueller's case against Swift on the fifth day of the trial, determining that Swift "did not act improperly."

Martinez also said Mueller, 55, should only get the equivalent of two years' salary should he win the case, which would come out to about $300,000.

The photo that Swift took with Mueller — as well as his girlfriend Shannon Mercher — at the 2013 meet-and-greet showed Mueller's hand extended behind the singer's backside, but did not show whether he made contact with her body.

NY Daily

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