Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland are charged with domestic abuse after an
altercation with a partner in 2020.
The two-year-old case’s details were revealed for the first time on Thursday, but the
charging document that details the alleged crimes is still under seal.
He appeared in court on Thursday for a pre-trial hearing after entering a not-guilty plea to two accusations in 2020.
Mr. Roiland, 42, could spend up to seven years in prison if proven guilty.
The Orange County District Attorney in southern California brought felony criminal
charges in May 2020.
He is accused of domestic battery with bodily injury and wrongful imprisonment through a threat of harm, use of force, fraud, or deception.
NBC News was able to uncover records that appear to support the claim that the
incident took place on or about January 19, 2020. Police claim that the accuser, an
unnamed “Jane Doe,” “was in a dating relationship” with Mr. Roiland at the time.
According to a police complaint, Mr. Roiland’s actions left the woman in “a terrible
condition.”
The titular characters’ voice actor was detained in August 2020 and released on a
$50,000 (£41,000) bond. In October 2020, he formally entered a not-guilty plea to the accusations.
Mr. Roiland was subject to a protection order requiring him to be at least 100 feet away from the complainant at all times and not to harass, threaten, or snoop on her.
Additionally, he was told to surrender any firearms he may have so that authorities may keep them until at least October 2023.
Mr. Roiland appeared in court on Thursday for a hearing, and his attorney informed the judge that a plea bargain was an option for his client. He didn’t offer any further
information, though.
The 27th of April is set aside for another hearing. Mr. Roiland will have to show up.
The anarchic cartoon sitcom Rick and Morty, which debuted in 2013, chronicles the
exploits of a crazy scientist and his grandson.
On Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s late-night home for alternative and adult-oriented animation, the program has been a major smash.
The show’s sixth season, which debuted in September 2022, already has 70 new
episodes on the schedule.
Cartoon Network’s owner, Warner Bros Discovery, has not yet responded to the
accusations.
