A $90-million civil lawsuit against Chris Brown collapsed into a mistrial this week after a juror allegedly violated court rules by searching the internet for case details and sharing the information with other jurors, forcing the trial to restart almost immediately after it began.
The case stems from a December 2020 incident at Brown’s Tarzana, California home, where former housekeeper Maria Avila claims she was violently attacked by the singer’s Caucasian shepherd dog, “Hades,” while taking out the trash.
Avila alleges she suffered serious physical injuries along with lasting emotional trauma.
The trial got underway on Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court but quickly unraveled.
Judge Huey P. Cotton told the courtroom that one juror ignored clear instructions not to look up information about the case and then relayed what he found to others, contaminating the panel.
“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,” the judge said.
With the jury dismissed, attorneys were instructed to begin selecting a new panel from prospective jurors already waiting for assignment.
Brown’s attorney requested a delay so he could travel to Las Vegas to see his newborn child.
He is expected to return to court Thursday morning.
The dog involved in the incident was later euthanized in Northern California around 12 days after the attack, after being found roaming in rural Humboldt County.
Authorities previously described the case as a “high-profile” attack and reported that the victim required 80 stitches to her face and arms.
Despite the mistrial, the lawsuit remains active.
Brown, who was present in court, responded briefly to TMZ when asked about the outcome, saying, “It happens.”
The legal troubles for the singer extend beyond this case.
In May 2025, Brown was arrested in Manchester, England, over allegations he struck music producer Abe Diaw with a tequila bottle during a 2023 incident at a London nightclub.
He was charged with grievous bodily harm, released on bail, and later pleaded not guilty in June 2025.
The criminal trial is scheduled for October 2026.
Diaw also filed a $16 million civil lawsuit against Brown, which was later settled and dismissed in June 2025.
Separately, Brown has asked the court to exclude any reference to past domestic violence allegations made by ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.