Chris Brown Contests $13M Dog Attack Verdict Over 'Inflammatory' Rihanna Assault Mention

You know how it is when a celebrity gets hit with a massive lawsuit, and you're left wondering how it all went down? Well, that's exactly what's happening with Chris Brown right now. The R&B star is contesting a whopping $13 million verdict in a dog attack lawsuit, and he's claiming that the jury got it all wrong. The lawsuit was filed by Maria Avila, a former housekeeper who was mauled by a 200-pound dog while cleaning Brown's Los Angeles-area home six years ago.

The jury delivered the verdict in June, and Brown accepted some liability for the incident. However, he testified during the trial that he specifically warned Avila not to go outside unaccompanied because of the unfriendly dog. Now, Brown's lawyers are arguing that the jury's decision was influenced by improper evidence about his infamous 2008 assault of Rihanna. According to the motion filed by Brown's lawyers, the trial judge unfairly allowed Avila's attorney to ask an "inherently inflammatory" question during Brown's cross-examination: whether he is a convicted felon. Brown answered "yes, ma'am" to this inquiry, referencing his 2009 guilty plea to assaulting Rihanna without providing any details.

Here's the thing: Brown's lawyers are saying that the mention of his assault on Rihanna had no bearing on Avila's alleged injuries, causation, or damages. They're arguing that the jury was told that the conviction could be used to determine whether Brown was believable, and that's a clear case of poisoning the well. As the motion reads, "Mr. Brown's conduct in an unrelated domestic-violence matter 17 years prior had no bearing on Plaintiffs' alleged injuries, causation or damages." It's a pretty strong statement, and one that Brown's lawyers are using to argue that the jury's verdict was influenced by prejudice.

So, what's next for Chris Brown? His lawyers are arguing that the best solution is to hold a brand new trial in front of a different jury. They're claiming that the exclusion of evidence that the singer's head of security gave money to Avila's family after the incident led to an inflated verdict of $12.9 million. They're saying that this amount "cannot reasonably be reconciled with the evidence of the injuries and damages actually established at trial." It's a pretty bold move, but one that could potentially change the course of the lawsuit.

For Maria Avila, this lawsuit is about more than just the money. It's about holding Chris Brown accountable for his actions, and ensuring that he takes responsibility for the harm that he's caused. As Avila's lawyer, Nancy Doumanian, told Billboard, "You can't hit the reset button every time a jury holds you accountable." It's a strong statement, and one that highlights the stakes in this very public battle.

The verdict is far from over, and it's clear that Chris Brown is not going down without a fight. With a new trial on the horizon, one thing is for sure: this story is far from over.