Read update
- Statement from Justin Roiland's attorney
Justin Roiland, co-creator of Rick and Morty, is facing domestic violence charges in connection with a 2020 incident. Roiland created the popular adult animated series together with Community creator Dan Harmon in 2013 for Adult Swim. Since its premiere, Rick and Morty has become one of the most popular adult animated series of all-time, and has spawned a massive franchise that includes comic books, games, and several spinoff series. Rick and Morty has won Roiland two Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Animated Program.
As reported by NBC News, Roiland was charged with felony domestic violence and false imprisonment on January 12, in connection to a 2020 incident involving an unnamed woman, who was his girlfriend at the time. The criminal complaint states that the incident occurred on or around January 19, 2020, and was filed in May 2020. In 2020, Roiland pleaded not guilty, and since then, there have been more than a dozen court hearings. Another hearing will take place on April 27.
UPDATE: 2023/01/13 12:06 EST BY ALEXANDER HARRISON
Statement from Justin Roiland's attorney
Roiland's attorney, T. Edward Welbourn, has shared the following statement with SR:
“It is hard to overstate how inaccurate the recent media coverage of this situation has been. To be clear, not only is Justin innocent but we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney’s office has completed its methodical review of the evidence. We look forward to clearing Justin’s name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible.”
Everything We Know About Justin Roiland's Case
While Roiland was initially arrested in May 2020, he was released on a $50,000 bond in August, and arraigned in October of that year. In October 2020, a protective order was issued against Roiland, which states that he cannot harass, threaten, or surveil the unnamed woman. He is also forbidden from coming within 100 feet of her, and had to turn in any firearms he owned and possessed. The protective order is in effect until October 2023, and it is not currently known who filed the order. Given that the case is still ongoing, many documents have not been made available to the public. Under a protective order, police body camera footage, investigation reports, and recordings of interviews are not publicly available.
Despite this incident occurring back in 2020, Roiland's career hasn't slowed, and he has since continued to work on various series and video games. Roiland created and starred in the Hulu series Solar Opposites in 2020, which was recently renewed for season 5 in October 2022. Along with being the co-creator of Rick and Morty, Roiland also voices the two title characters, making him an integral part of the popular series. Rick and Morty season 6 debuted in September 2022, and season 7 is expected to premiere sometime in 2023, though there is no firm release date as of yet. Roiland also has the series Koala Man, which stars Hugh Jackman and is set to premiere this year.
Though this case has been slowly drawn out over the past three years, Roiland's career hasn't seemed to take a hit in the slightest. With the Rick and Morty franchise continuing to grow, Roiland is perhaps now more successful than ever, but the criminal case against him could certainly change that. As the charges were only made recently and a trial date has yet to be set, there will be many more updates to come in the Rick and Morty co-creator's case.
Source: NBC News