Domestic violence charges against Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland have been dismissed by the Orange County District Attorney’s office. Roiland insists that the charges were based “solely on the word of an embittered ex.”
A spokesperson for Orange County D.A. Todd Spitzer had this to say about the charges.
We dismissed the charges today as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,
Roiland was let go from most of his duties at Adult Swim on shows like Koala Man, Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, and stepped down as the head of Squanch Games, who made the wildly-successful shooter High on Life. Had he been found guilty, he would have been subject to up to seven years behind bars and heavy fines.
Roiland spoke out publicly on Twitter with this statement.
“I have always known that these claims were false — and I never had any doubt that this day would come, I’m thankful that this case has been dismissed but, at the same time, I’m still deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process. Most of all, I’m disappointed that so many people were so quick to judge without knowing the facts, based solely on the word of an embittered ex trying to bypass due process and have me ‘canceled.’”
“That it may have succeeded, even partially, is shameful. However, now that the legal case has ended, I’m determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name.”
He was charged in 2020 with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit. He posted a $50,000 bond in August 2020 and plead not guilty. Roiland was subject to a protective order that ordered him to stay at least 100 feet away from the person he allegedly assaulted. That protective order was set to expire in October 2023.
Solar Opposites and Rick and Morty will both continue without Roiland’s involvement for the time being. It’s unknown if he’ll return to Adult Swim or both shows.
We’ll keep you updated on this situation as it develops.
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