Chris Brown is seeking to prevent any mention of his 2009 assault case involving Rihanna during an upcoming Los Angeles civil trial tied to an alleged dog attack.
In a filing obtained by Rolling Stone, plaintiff Maria Avila said Brown’s proposed ban is “overbroad, premature, and legally incorrect,” arguing it seeks to exclude possible evidence before trial testimony begins.
Avila alleges she was mauled by a dog at Brown’s Tarzana property in December 2020 while taking out trash.
Her lawsuit claims the animal attacked her face, arm, and foot, leaving lasting injuries that required emergency surgery. She also alleges permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, and vision loss.
Brown has disputed key parts of the claims.
In prior testimony, Brown said he found Avila on the ground after hearing his dog growl.
“I didn’t touch her,” Brown said under oath. “I was making sure she was breathing.” He also said, “I’m not bad.”
Avila’s latest filing says the Rihanna case would only become relevant if Brown or defense witnesses give testimony portraying him as peaceful or questioning her reaction to the incident.
“If defendants or their witnesses testify in a manner that portrays defendant as nonviolent or non-threatening,” the filing states, the prior conduct could be used for rebuttal.
Brown pleaded guilty in 2009 to felony assault after prosecutors said he attacked Rihanna before the Grammy Awards.
The long-delayed trial is set for June 15, with evidentiary motions scheduled to be argued June 5.
