Chris Brown is officially pushing back against a $12.9 million jury verdict. The singer filed a notice in Los Angeles on July 31 declaring he and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, plan to ask for a new trial following the July 16 judgment.
The case stems from a December 2020 incident at his Tarzana, California home. His housekeeper, Maria Avila, was mauled by a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades while emptying trash. The attack left her with severe injuries to her arm and face, requiring dozens of sutures and skin grafts, as well as nerve damage that has affected her ability to work. Brown had accepted some liability before the trial but disputed the extent of the injuries and argued Avila was partially at fault.
In the new filing, Brown’s legal team argues the verdict should be overturned due to alleged irregularities in the proceedings, jury misconduct, insufficient evidence, and an “excessive” damages award. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for September 22, landing between Brown’s Las Vegas and Los Angeles tour dates with Usher. Meanwhile, Avila’s attorneys have asked a judge to freeze tour-related accounts while they seek to collect the unpaid judgment.
