Reader to Taylor Swift: Don't Call Unwanted Groping Sexual Assault

Readers have been weighing in on our coverage of the Mueller v. Swift et. al lawsuit playing out in court. The civil case revolves around whether DJ David Mueller groped Taylor Swift at a 2013 Pepsi Center meet and greet, an allegation she made that led to his firing.

By Westword Staff

August 12, 2017

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

On August 11, David Mueller's case again Taylor Swift was thrown out of court after a week of trial; the civil case revolved around whether Swift's accusation that the KYGO DJ had groped her at a 2013 Pepsi Center meet-and-greet had led to his firing from the station. After Mueller sued, claiming he'd suffered $3 million in damages, Swift counter-sued for $1...and her case against Mueller has not been tossed. Mueller's claims against Swift's mother and her radio promotions manager remain, too.

While the action continued in court this week, readers have been weighing in on the case. Did Mueller grope the star? Should he have been fired? And should groping even be described as sexual assault? Says Chris:

Props to Taylor for taking a stand. If this were all about publicity, she could have just dated someone else or released a new song. This is costing her time and money, and she won't really receive a personal benefit if she wins. Rather, it could set a example for non-famous women (especially those in high school and college) to stick up for themselves and not let people push them around. Generally speaking, I don't think she's a great role model for young girls (talent alone is not something worthy to strive for), because so much of her public persona is about her relationships with men, but this could change my impression of her.

Writes Alex:

There is a big difference between groping and sexual assault — to call groping sexual assault does a serious disservice to women who have been raped.

Replies Kenzie:

Rape is assault but not all assault is rape. It's kind of like how a square is a rectangle but not all rectangles are squares.

The case — what remains of it — will resume on Monday, August 14, in U.S. District Court. And the debate over many of the issues raised by this trial, including what constitutes sexual assault, will certainly continue long after the case concludes and the media circus leaves town. In the meantime, here are links to some of our coverage.

Taylor Swift: David Mueller "Grabbed My Bare Ass, This Is Not Alleged."

Five Outtakes from the First Day of Testimony at the Taylor Swift Trial

Taylor Swift Trial Echoes Michael Jackson's Trip to Denver Court

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.