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Rick and Morty co-creator and star Justin Roiland has been cleared of felony domestic violence charges relating to an alleged 2020 incident involving a former girlfriend.
A spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Kimberly Edds, confirmed to Variety that the charges were dismissed ‘as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.’
Roiland, 42, responded to the news in a statement published to Twitter on Wednesday, in which he slammed ‘cancel culture’ and the ‘horrible lies’ made about him.
It comes nearly two months after Adult Swim – the late-night programming block that airs Rick and Morty – cut ties with Roiland in wake of the allegations.
He was later fired from the animated shows Solar Opposites and Koala Man.
Cleared: Rick and Morty co-creator and star Justin Roiland has been cleared of felony domestic violence charges relating to an alleged 2020 incident involving a former girlfriend; Roiland seen in 2017
In his words: Roiland, 42, responded to the news in a statement published to Twitter on Wednesday, in which he slammed ‘cancel culture’ and the ‘horrible lies’ made about him
‘I have always known that these claims were false — and I never had any doubt that this day would come,’ Roiland tweeted Wednesday.
‘I’m thankful that this case has been dismissed but, at the same time, I’m still deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process.’
The star continued: ‘Most of all, I’m disappointed that so many people were so quick to judge without knowing the facts, based solely on the word of an embittered ex trying to bypass due process and have me “canceled.”
‘That it may have succeeded, even partially, is shameful. However, now that the legal case has ended, I’m determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name.’
He also tweeted out ‘justice’ along with his statement.
Roiland’s attorney Edward Welbourn commended the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for ‘conducting a thorough review of the facts and deciding to dismiss the case against Justin,’ in a statement to Variety, adding: ‘I’m thankful justice has prevailed.’
News of Roiland’s domestic abuse charges came to light in early January when NBC News reported on the case, citing a copy of the criminal complaint, which DailyMail.com later confirmed after a review of court records.
He appeared in an Orange County, California court on Thursday, January 12 in connection with the case, after previously pleading not guilty to felony counts of domestic battery with corporal injury and false imprisonment.
The criminal charges, first filed in May 2020, had not been previously reported.
According to the complaint, the charges stem from an incident around January 19, 2020, when a woman who was dating Roiland, identified only as Jane Doe, made the allegations against him.
Many of the documents in the case remain sealed, including the police affidavit in support of Roiland’s arrest, as well as police bodycam footage and investigation reports.
Dismissed: A spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Kimberly Edds, confirmed to Variety that the charges were dismissed ‘as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt’
Cutting ties: It comes nearly two months after Adult Swim – the late-night programming block that airs Rick and Morty – cut ties with Roiland in wake of the allegations
The show must go on! Rick And Morty would ‘continue’ despite Roiland’s absence
Roiland was apparently arrested in August 2020 and freed on a $50,000 bond.
He was charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit.
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He pleaded not guilty to both charges at an October 2020 arraignment, and the case has proceeded through the court system without attracting public attention.
Under a protective order filed in October 2020, Roiland was ordered not to harass, threaten or surveil the person named in the protective order, whose name does not appear in public court documents.
Roiland was also prohibited from coming within 100 feet of the person named in the order, and required to surrender any guns he may have owned or possessed. The protective order extends until October 2023.
At the January court hearing, Roiland’s attorney revealed that a plea deal has been offered to his client, but did not provide further details, according to NBC News.
His attorney Welbourn told DailyMail.com he was confident the charges would be dropped.
‘It is hard to overstate how inaccurate the recent media coverage of this situation has been,’ said Welbourn.
‘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.’
Less than two weeks later, Adult Swim announced on Twitter that it had ‘ended its association’ with Roiland but that Rick And Morty would ‘continue’ despite his absence.
THR also reported at the time that Roiland – who voices the show’s titular characters – would have his voice roles recast.
Along with co-creating the hit series with Dan Harmon, Roiland voiced its titular characters: mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his accomplice/grandson Morty Smith
Though Harmon is now the sole showrunner, Roiland will continue to be credited as co-creator.
The network’s Twitter statement also noted that the ‘talented and dedicated cast and crew are hard at work on season seven,’ which was expected to premiere sometime this year.
It is unknown if Roiland’s sudden axing will result in delays.
The series is locked in until season 10 as part of a 70-episode order made by Adult Swim back in 2018.
Voice: Along with co-creating the hit series with Dan Harmon, Roiland voiced its titular characters: mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his accomplice/grandson Morty Smith; seen in 2019
Origin: Rick and Morty originated out of a short parody film of Back to the Future that Roiland and Harmon created for the Los Angeles media collective Channel101
Success: The series debuted on Adult Swim in 2013, quickly garnering a devoted following and expanded into a franchise worth billions
Rick and Morty originated out of a short parody film of Back to the Future that Roiland and Harmon created for the Los Angeles media collective Channel101.
The series debuted on Adult Swim in 2013, quickly garnering a devoted following and expanded into a franchise worth billions.
The sixth season of Rick and Morty recently concluded, and a seventh season was previously confirmed as part of a long-term deal with Cartoon Network that ordered 70 new episodes.
Little is known of Roiland’s personal life, and he has not publicly confirmed any long-term romantic relationships since rising to stardom.
