A California judge has signalled that he is ready to reduce the $12.9 million (£9.8 million) in damages that a jury awarded to a housekeeper who was mauled by a dog at Chris Brown’s home.
Judge Huey P Cotton heard arguments from housekeeper Maria Avila’s lawyers but indicated he was not persuaded to change his tentative order to reduce the amount by almost 40 per cent, Billboard reports.
“We can either retry it, or you can agree,” Cotton said. “I just need a decision.”
The two-week trial that led to the massive jury award unfolded in a Los Angeles County courtroom last June, with Brown and Avila both taking the witness stand.
Avila broke down crying as she recounted for jurors the 12 December 2020 mauling at Brown’s home in the Tarzana neighbourhood of the San Fernando Valley. She said the attack left her with severe injuries to her arm and face, extensive scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I will never be the same again,” she told jurors.
Before trial, the Under the Influence singer admitted negligence under California’s dog-bite statute. He continued to dispute the extent of Avila’s injuries and claimed she was partly at fault for going outside alone.
After the verdict, Brown’s lawyers filed a motion for a new trial claiming the award was excessive and that the verdict was influenced by improper evidence about his 2008 assault of pop star Rihanna.
Brown’s lawyers filed a motion asking to wipe the trial verdict.
Avila’s lawyers have meanwhile been making attempts to collect the judgment from Brown.
