Garth Brooks and his team of lawyers were unable to speed up the justice system.
The country music superstar was trying his best to expedite the resolution – or at least the movement towards it – of the shocking accusations that he’s currently facing. In case you somehow missed the shocking allegations, Garth has been dealing with a complaint that was filed anonymously back in September in a California state court.
The woman, who identified herself only as Jane Roe, alleged that the country music superstar raped and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, including once while the two were in Los Angeles for a performance. She also claims that Garth expressed his interest in having a threesome with the woman and his wife, Trisha Yearwood.
Fast forward from September to early November, when Brooks and his lawyers filed for the case to be moved from the state court in Los Angeles to the California federal court. Many believed it was likely an effort to achieve a quicker trial, and soon after, the lawsuit was assigned to a federal judge. On the same day that it was assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald, Garth and his legal team asked the judge to dismiss his accuser’s claims and direct them to refile in the federal court in Mississippi.
Why did they do that? Well, Mississippi is where Garth Brooks filed a preemptive lawsuit of sorts against the woman that eventually brought the case to him. Brooks’ legal team was trying to argue that if the case is dismissed in California, or at the very least paused, that will allow for the Mississippi lawsuit that was filed first to be resolved first. Garth’s legal team released this statement arguing that the competing lawsuits should be resolved in the same court:
“(If) Brooks succeeds in the Mississippi Action by proving that Roe’s allegations of assault are false, Roe will not prevail in this action because it requires her to prove that the exact same allegations are true.
The parties should not be required to conduct overlapping discovery here and in the Mississippi Action simultaneously. And this Court should not be thrust into a race with the Southern District of Mississippi to decide the critical factual issues that are dispositive of both actions.”
Now, it appears that all of the efforts from Brooks and his lawyers were unsuccessful. U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald denied the motion to have the case dismissed in the state of California. The federal judge also stated that the case will be “stayed” until further information is confirmed, which is expected in 10 days. The court document’s official decision concluded:
“The Court determines the most appropriate course of action is to allow the Mississippi court to adjudicate Plaintiff’s equitable arguments in the first instance.”
So now it’s somewhat of a “back to the drawing board” period for Garth Brooks and his team of lawyers. Having the case dismissed in California would have been a small victory for the country music star, but they’ll now have to pivot and focus on other potential ways to expedite the process of clearing Brooks’ name. The only real option could just be to “hurry up and wait.”
Garth Brooks has maintained his innocence since the very beginning of the unexpected story. Early on, the country music singer shared a statement on why he refused to pay hush money, and how he trusts the system to prove that he’s not guilty of these allegations:
“For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face. Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of – ugly acts no human should ever do to another.
We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides. I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds going forward. It breaks my heart these wonderful things are in question now. I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be.”
Since the lawsuit was filed, Garth has wrapped up his Las Vegas residency for the year, taking some time off before starting back up in 2025.
And to be clear, Garth’s wife Trisha has stood by him every step of the way through this process. Shortly after the lawsuit and allegations hit the internet, Yearwood shared this photo of her and husband with the caption:
“Love one another.”