Mistrial Declared in Chris Brown Dog-Attack Case After Juror Internet Search

In a reminder of how fragile high-profile trials can be in the internet age, a Los Angeles judge declared a mistrial Tuesday after learning a juror had gone online about the case and then shared that material with other panel members.

The proceedings involved a civil suit brought by Maria Avila, the singer’s former housekeeper, who says she was viciously mauled by Chris Brown‘s Caucasian Shepherd in 2020. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Huey P. Cotton called the juror’s actions a clear violation of court instructions and said he had no choice but to stop the trial.

“Unfortunately, one of the jurors has violated my admonitions against searching the internet for information, and not only that, but he also shared it, and as a consequence, I have to declare a mistrial,” Judge Cotton told the court.

The development came on Tuesday, June 16, when Brown, often referred to as Breezy, appeared in court for the civil case. The mistrial announcement was followed by an order that the defendant return to court on Thursday, June 18, to begin again with a new jury.

Reporters captured Brown exiting the courthouse, and TMZ posted his terse reaction. When asked about the trial ending prematurely, he said, “It happens.” Asked about Avila’s $90 million demand in the lawsuit, he replied, “That’s crazy.”

Court watchers tracking the reasons behind the pause were pointed to contemporaneous reporting. Rolling Stone noted that a juror had looked up information related to the case online and shared it with other jurors, prompting Judge Cotton’s decision to halt the proceedings.

Avila first sued Brown in April 2021, alleging the attack left her with lifelong physical injuries after the incident at his California home. Authorities euthanized the dog 12 days after the mauling.

What happens next

The judge’s mistrial means the case will be refiled before a new jury, restarting the fact-finding process from square one. For a plaintiff who has already waited years to see her claim heard, the procedural reset is a significant setback. For Brown, it means more calendar time and renewed media scrutiny at a moment when the case has already saturated headlines.

Watch Chris Brown Speaking After His Dog Attack Trial Is Declared a Mistrial