Writer Justin Roiland is best known for his adult animated series Rick and Morty which gained great viewership since it first aired in 2013 on Adult Swim and Cartoon Network. The show that features the intergalactic adventures of an alcoholic sociopath Rick and his dimwitted grandson Morty has completed 6 successful seasons. Roliand became a household name for his innovative writing and character sketches in the show. But the director’s reputation took a big hit when he was charged with assault and domestic violence by an unnamed complainant in 2020. The case went to trial with multiple hearings being conducted before Roiland finally received a favorable verdict in 2023.
Justin Roiland Is Free of Assault Charges
After 3 harrowing years of endless court hearings and trials, Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland has finally been cleared of domestic violence charges. Kimberly Edds, the spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s office, said in a statement that read,
“We dismissed the charges today as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Roiland, who was charged with counts of domestic battery for inflicting corporal injury along with allegations of fraud and deceit, has expressed his relief and gratitude on being cleared of all charges. In a statement released to the press, he thanked everyone who supported him and said,
“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”
Justin Roiland further stated that he wished to put this difficult incident behind him and move on to working on his creative pursuits wholeheartedly.
Justin Roiland’s Professional Collaborations Took A Hit
After being accused of domestic violence in 2020, Justin Roiland’s personal and professional life suffered for over 3 years between 2020 and 2023. The creator who went through multiple trials and court hearings to ultimately clear his name also faced backlash from the studios and networks he was associated with. Following the allegations, Adult Swim released a statement severing ties with Roiland. Similarly, Hulu too ended its association with him after a successful collaborative period during which Roiland created shows like Solar Opposites and Koala Man. The network stated that future seasons of these shows will continue without the creator’s involvement.
Roiland’s relationship with the co-creator of Rick and Morty, Dan Harmon, also turned sour after the incident, with Harmon allegedly cutting communication with his colleague completely. Following the verdict that exonerated Justin Roiland of all charges, Adult Swim and Hulu are yet to make a public statement regarding the same. It now remains to be seen if the two networks will forget the past and renew their relationship with the Rick and Morty creator.
Source: Variety
