Chris Brown is currently on a major tour with fellow R&B icon Usher, but he is still handling other matters behind the scenes. According to TMZ, the singer and his legal team have filed a notice of intent to challenge the ruling in his dog attack case and are seeking a new trial over allegations made by his former housekeeper.
For those unfamiliar with the case, a Los Angeles jury previously found Brown responsible after his dog Hades allegedly attacked his former housekeeper Maria Avila while she was taking out the trash at his home in 2020. Avila claimed she suffered nerve damage and injuries to her arm and face, requiring multiple stitches and skin graft procedures during her recovery. The court ultimately ordered Brown to pay her $12.9 million in damages.
However, a notice filed by Brown and his company Black Pyramid LLC on Friday (July 31) shows that they are asking the court to overturn the verdict and grant a new trial. The filing reportedly cites several reasons, including claims that the damages awarded were excessive, insufficient evidence supported the verdict, jury misconduct occurred, and procedural issues affected his right to a fair trial.
A hearing is scheduled for September 22, where the court will review the request. Following that, the judge will determine the next steps in the case.
The Chris Brown case previously faced a brief mistrial after a juror reportedly searched for details about the case before a court session. However, proceedings quickly continued after the juror was replaced, bringing the case to its current stage with Brown’s new notice of intent.
Meanwhile, Maria Avila could potentially pursue Chris Brown’s tour earnings. During his ongoing tour with Usher, Avila claimed that Brown and his team had not taken steps to begin paying the judgment against him. While the latest notice of intent sheds light on why payments have not started from Brown’s side, it remains to be seen whether those earnings could become a target if the court rejects his attempt to overturn the verdict.
Avila may also explore other sources of income, including royalties and additional revenue streams. However, Chris Brown continues to challenge the outcome of the case, and the success of his legal team’s arguments will determine what happens next.
