California courts will allow a civil trial to proceed against Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, stemming from allegations of sexual abuse. The decision, handed down by Judge Patricia A. Young, partially accepted an appeal from Julia Misley, who first brought the claims in December 2022.
Allegations Date Back to the 1970s
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Misley, who was 16 at the time of the alleged abuse, claims she met Tyler, then 25, in Portland, Oregon, while in high school. She alleges a pattern of sexual abuse over three years, during which Tyler also became her legal guardian – a detail the singer acknowledged in his 2011 memoir, “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?” Tyler wrote that Misley’s parents “fell in love with me” and signed papers allowing him to take her out of state to avoid legal trouble.
Statute of Limitations Complicates the Case
While claims relating to alleged incidents in Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts were dismissed due to the statute of limitations having expired, Judge Young ruled that the case could proceed in California. This is because California law dictates that Tyler would be held to the state’s laws regarding child abuse while present within its borders.
Tyler Denies the Accusations
Tyler has consistently denied all allegations, arguing that much of his relationship with Misley occurred in Boston, where the age of consent was 16 at the time. He maintained that Massachusetts law should therefore apply. However, the California court only partially accepted this argument, asserting that Tyler must adhere to California’s laws against child abuse whenever he was physically present in the state.
- Julia Misley initially filed her lawsuit under the name Julia Holcomb.
- The alleged abuse began in 1973 and continued for three years.
- The judge’s ruling allows the case to proceed in California, but not in Oregon, Washington, or Massachusetts.
What’s Next?
The ruling means Tyler will face a trial in California regarding the allegations. The legal proceedings are expected to be closely watched, given Tyler’s high profile and the serious nature of the claims. The case highlights the complexities of statutes of limitations and jurisdictional issues in cases of alleged historical abuse.
