Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler denies sexual assault allegations over relationship with teen in 1970s
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler denies sexual assault allegations over 1970s relationship
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler has denied claims that he sexually assaulted a minor in the 1970s.
Tyler, 75, was named in December in a lawsuit from a woman who has publicly identified herself as Julia Misley.
The timing of the lawsuit came days before the Dec. 31 deadline to fall under the umbrella of California’s Child Victims Act, which ended the statute of limitations for people to report crimes of sexual abuse against them when they were children.
In the legal filing, Misley accused the Dream On singer of sexual assault and assault, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress, linked to when she was a teenager in the 1970s.
The singer of hits like Walk This Way, Janie’s Got a Gun and I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing said in legal documents filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court that his relationship with Misley (who was once known as Julia Holcomb) was consensual, People reported after review of documents in the case.
The latest: Steven Tyler, 75, of Aerosmith has denied allegations in a lawsuit that he sexually assaulted a minor in the 1970s. Photographed last year in LA
Tyler told the court that he was Misley’s legal guardian at the time, giving him immunity from related laws, past and present.
The Massachusetts resident requested that the court dismiss the case in its entirety.
Lawyers for Misley said the rock singer “gaslighted” their client and the court with his defense.
Misley “has not suffered any injury or damage as a result of any action by defendant,” Tyler’s attorneys said, “and if plaintiff is found to have suffered damages, then no such damages were caused by defendant.”
Allegations in the legal complaint echo information Tyler shared in his book Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? from 2011. regarding a relationship he had with a 16-year-old girl, the outlet reported.
Misley did not directly name Tyler in the complaint, but did in a later statement she released.
Misley said that after Tyler persuaded her mother to grant him custody of her at age 16, she was “unable to resist” the singer, who had “power, fame and substantial financial means”.
Tyler said in his memoir that she almost “took a teenage bride” in his past, adding that “her parents fell in love with me, signed a paper that I got custody so I wouldn’t get arrested if I took her.” out of state.”
Misley said she became pregnant by Tyler in 1975 and he persuaded her to have an abortion based on erroneous information about the potential health of the unborn child.
The Jaded singer was pictured performing at the 2020 Grammys in LA
The Massachusetts resident requested that the court dismiss the case in its entirety. Photographed last year in LA
Misley said she moved back home after the abortion, got married and embraced religion.
Her attorney Jeff Anderson said Tyler’s responses were examples of “gaslighting” and that he “used sham legal custody to avoid prosecution for sex crimes” in the 1970s.
Anderson said, “He causes further pain to Misley and excites her by falsely claiming that she “consented” and that the pain he inflicted was “justifiable and in good faith.”
“Never have we come across a legal defense as obnoxious and potentially dangerous as Tyler and his attorneys this week: their claim that legal custody is consent and consent to sexual abuse.”