Taylor Swift trial over alleged DJ groping incident begins jury selection

Swift claims a former radio host groped her four years ago during press event.

ByABC News
August 7, 2017, 3:04 PM

— -- Fourteen potential jurors were selected on Monday in Denver for the civil suit between Taylor Swift and a former radio DJ stemming from a 2013 incident in which the pop singer alleges she was groped by the host.

Of the 16 potential jurors selected earlier in the day, one was struck when he said he couldn't be open-minded because he had a friend who went through a sexual assault incident when he was in high school. Another wasn't chosen for the jury because he saw a photo of the alleged incident and believed it showed inappropriate touching.

Ultimately, the pool will be whittled down to eight jurors. Court officials have previously said that a jury will be selected by no later than noon on Tuesday.

Swift and her mother Andrea have been present in the courtroom for the proceedings, for which potential jurors completed a survey that asked whether they'd gone through similar experiences and gauged their level of Swift fandom.

Potential jurors were asked whether they'd ever watched one of Swift's videos, listened to her songs, or attended one of her concerts, among other questions.

The incident in question dates back to June 2013, when former 98.5 KYGO-FM DJ, David Mueller met and posed for a photo with Swift at a backstage meet-and-greet during a Denver show.

Mueller, who also appeared in court Monday, sued Swift first in 2015, claiming that the singer had falsely accused him of grabbing her backside during the event, and that her allegation caused him to lose his job.

Swift claimed in a counter suit obtained by ABC News that Mueller "took his hand and put it up my dress" during the publicity event, and it "was not an accident, it was completely intentional."

In court filings, Mueller denied he groped Swift and "has testified unequivocally that 'I am sure that I did not.'"

Both parties are expected to cite the photo capturing the alleged incident, which was obtained by TMZ, as evidence of Mueller's guilt or innocence.

According to court documents obtained by ABC News, Mueller is accusing Swift of "intentional interference with contractual obligations" and "interference with prospective business relations" that led to lost wages.

Mueller also sued Swift for two counts of slander, but a judge threw out those claims because the statute of limitations had passed.

Swift's counter-lawsuit claims one count of assault and one count of battery, according to the documents.

While Mueller said in depositions that his damages amount to some $3 million, Swift wants compensatory, actual and punitive damages in an amount to be proven at trial, but also a verdict that holds Mueller responsible for the alleged assault.

Swift says she will donate any money she receives to charities.

Both parties are expected to testify in the nine day civil trial and will be in court each day following jury selection.

Related Topics