Testimony in the trial over whether a Denver DJ groped singer Taylor Swift’s rear end during a 2013 meet-and-greet began Tuesday, with fired DJ David Mueller denying that he made contact with Swift’s behind and Swift’s lawyer telling jurors that Mueller is simply looking for a “payday.”
“He wants you to give him a payday,” Swift’s attorney Doug Baldridge told the jury Tuesday during opening statements, CNN reports. “His motivation is money, calling attention to himself, and getting revenge on his boss.”
Mueller’s attorney Gabriel McFarland, meanwhile, contended that a photo of the alleged groping, which was presented to the court, failed to show that the fired DJ had touched Swift inappropriately.
“If you look at that photo, his hand is not underneath her skirt. It’s not ruffled, rumbled, affected in any form or fashion,” McFarland said, adding that he accusation that Mueller had done so was “careless, it was reckless and it was part of in many ways what has destroyed Mr. Mueller’s life.”
McFarland further suggested that Swift might have confused Mueller for someone else who was present during the alleged incident.
During his testimony Tuesday, Mueller said that, during the meet-and-greet at Denver’s Pepsi Center, his right hand made contact with what “felt what seemed to be a rib cage or ribs.”
Swift was initially sued in September 2015 by Mueller, who claims that he was wrongfully fired after being accused of groping the singer’s butt during a meet-and-greet at Swift’s concert at Denver’s Pepsi Arena in June 2013. The radio personality, who goes by the professional name “Jackson,” has adamantly denied the accusation, though Swift has testified, “It was not an accident. It was completely intentional, and I have never been so sure of anything in my life.”
Swift subsequently filed a countersuit against Mueller in October 2015.