Mistrial Declared in Chris Brown Dog-Mauling Civil Trial After Juror Misconduct

On Tuesday, Superior Court Judge Huey P. Cotton halted the civil trial of singer Chris Brown after a juror violated the court’s order by searching the internet for case information and sharing it. The judge declared a mistrial and scheduled a new jury selection, with Brown’s next appearance set for Thursday.

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The lawsuit stems from a December 12, 2020 incident at Brown’s home in which a large Central Asian Ovcharka named Hades attacked housekeeper Maria Avila as she stepped outside to take out the trash. Avila says the dog tore flesh and bone from her face, arm and foot, causing emergency surgery, permanent disfigurement, nerve damage and vision loss.

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The case involves singer Chris Brown, housekeeper Maria Avila, her sister Patricia Avila, the security dog Hades, and Judge Huey P. Cotton, who presides over the civil action.

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• Dec 12, 2020 – Dog mauling at Brown’s residence.

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• Oct 2023 – Avila’s deposition describing the attack.

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• Mon (week of trial) – Jury selection; jurors disclose bias related to Brown’s prior domestic-violence case.

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• Tue – Trial begins; judge declares mistrial for juror misconduct.

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• Thu – New jury selection scheduled; Brown to appear.

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Avila testified Hades emerged suddenly, tearing her face, hand and foot, and leaving her screaming for help. Sister Patricia said she heard only a car, ran outside and found Maria covered in blood. Brown’s deposition says he was upstairs, heard the dog growl, descended, confirmed Avila’s breathing by watching her chest rise, then left after his manager warned paramedics were en route. The accounts differ on whether Brown fled immediately or first checked her condition.

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Judge Cotton barred any mention of Brown’s 2009 felony assault of Rihanna, deeming it irrelevant to the dog-mauling claim. He also dismissed prospective jurors who said they could not remain impartial because of that prior history, reinforcing the court’s effort to maintain an unbiased jury.

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• “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 Huey P. Cotton

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• “It attacked me on my face, my hand, and it pierced its teeth on my foot,” — Maria Avila, Plaintiff

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• “Hearing the actual growl is what actually shocked me, to make me go downstairs,” — Chris Brown, Deposition

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• “I only heard the car that left,” — Patricia Avila, Witness

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The court will reconvene Thursday to select a new jury from the existing pool. Brown is slated to testify once the panel is seated, and the trial will resume on damages claimed by Maria Avila, her sister and husband.

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