Country music icon Garth Brooks is taking steps to escalate his legal battle in the ongoing sexual assault case filed by a woman known only as “Jane Roe.” The 62-year-old singer-songwriter has formally requested that the case be moved to federal court after the woman’s lawsuit sought damages exceeding $75,000, which qualifies under federal court jurisdiction guidelines.
Brooks’ legal team filed documents on Friday, November 1, seeking the shift, a move that could significantly impact the pace and process of the case. Legal expert Tre Lovell told Entertainment Tonight that taking the case to federal court might offer Brooks several advantages, including a quicker trial date, a wider jury pool, and judges who may be more inclined to dismiss the case early on.
This move comes just one month after Brooks re-filed his original complaint, identifying the woman as Roe, who had previously worked as a hairstylist and makeup artist for both him and his wife, Trisha Yearwood. In his legal filing, Brooks explained his decision to publicly name Roe, claiming her legal team had disclosed his identity to the press, a move that left him no choice but to respond.
Roe’s legal representatives, including attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor, Jeanne M. Christensen, and Hayley Baker, reacted strongly to Brooks’ actions, accusing him of acting without legal justification. “With no legal justification, Brooks outed her because he thinks the laws don’t apply to him,” they said in a statement. “On behalf of our client, we will be moving for maximum sanctions against him immediately.”
The lawsuit has become a public spectacle, with Brooks asserting that he has been the target of a “shakedown” and accusing Roe of attempting to extort him for millions of dollars. According to Brooks, Roe allegedly devised a malicious plan to blackmail him after he rejected her request for salaried employment and medical benefits.
Brooks further claims that Roe threatened to make false public allegations about him that would damage his reputation and career. These threats were reportedly tied to the October 3 complaint Roe filed, where she accused Brooks of exposing himself to her, discussing his sexual fantasies, and sending explicit text messages in 2019.
In response to the accusations, Brooks vehemently denied the claims. In a statement to PEOPLE, he stated, “I’ve been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars.”
Brooks emphasized his desire to continue making music and doing good deeds. “It breaks my heart that these wonderful things are in question now,” he said. “I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be.”
The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly have significant implications for Brooks, both personally and professionally. As the case moves forward, all eyes will remain on how the court responds to his request for federal jurisdiction and the ongoing legal dispute with his accuser.
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