BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JULY 24: Creator/Director Justin Roiland speaks onstage during Turner Broadcasting’s 2013 TCA Summer Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 24, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/WireImage)
Justin Roiland, 42, is best known for creating the Adult Swim show Rick and Morty alongside Dan Harmon. Roiland voices both Rick and Morty. He also created the Hulu show Solar Opposites and voices the main character, Korvo.
Variety reports that Roiland has been charged in Orange County, California with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit. The charges stem from an incident that happened in 2020 involving a woman Roiland was dating at the time.
Roiland pleaded not guilty in 2020 and was let out on a $50,000 bond. He was arraigned in October of that year, and next appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing this past Thursday, when NBC News brought attention to the story. He is due in court for another pretrial hearing on April 27. A trial date has not yet been set.
Rick and Morty creator faces domestic violence charges
Roiland’s attorney T. Edward Welbourn gave a statement to Variety:
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.
Rick and Morty has been running for six seasons with more on the way. We’ll see if this affects anything.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels
