Nationwide — A Los Angeles civil trial involving Chris Brown ended in mistrial after juror misconduct disrupted the proceedings. The $90 million lawsuit centers on allegations tied to a 2020 dog attack involving his former housekeeper.
Judge Huey P. Cotton declared a mistrial after a juror admitted to breaking court rules by researching the case online and sharing that information. The judge said the violation compromised the fairness of the trial and left no choice but to restart.
According to the Daily Mail, Chris Brown appeared in court on Tuesday and was instructed to return on Thursday as the case resets. Jury selection will begin again before a new trial proceeds, with both legal teams preparing to present their evidence from the start.
During jury selection, Brown told TMZ he found the $90 million claim “crazy” and said a mistrial “happens.” He also requested a short delay so he could travel to Las Vegas to see his newborn son.
The lawsuit was filed by former housekeeper Maria Avila, who alleges Brown’s dog attacked her in 2020. She said she suffered serious injuries to her face, hand, and foot, with lasting physical damage.
Avila testified that she screamed for help during the incident and described injuries involving both flesh and bone. She also said she heard a vehicle leave the property and believed Brown exited the scene after the attack.
In his deposition, Brown said he heard the dog growling before going downstairs and finding Avila injured. He said he checked her condition, called for medical help, and secured the dogs after being told assistance was already on the way.
Brown also said he was not involved in what happened to the dog after the incident. Reports stated a security guard later moved the animal before authorities located it and euthanized it.
Jury selection earlier in the process also saw several potential jurors dismissed after citing bias linked to Brown’s past assault conviction involving Rihanna. Despite the courtroom setback, Brown continued promoting his upcoming tour with Usher on social media while the case resets.