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Apr 28, 2026

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Chris Brown Battles to Keep Rihanna Assault Case Out of Dog Attack Trial

Former housekeeper pushes to introduce past domestic violence allegations in $90M lawsuit

LAT Editorial Team

LAT Editorial Team

Chris Brown Battles to Keep Rihanna Assault Case Out of Dog Attack Trial
Photo credits: TMZ

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Chris Brown is locked in a legal battle with his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, who is suing him for $90 million after she was allegedly attacked by a dog at his Los Angeles home in 2020. Avila is fighting to allow evidence of Brown's past domestic violence arrest involving Rihanna to be presented in court.

The case has reignited attention on Brown's 2009 felony assault plea related to Rihanna, with Brown's legal team arguing that bringing up this decade-old incident would unfairly prejudice the jury and is irrelevant to the current lawsuit.

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Background of the Dog Attack Lawsuit

Maria Avila claims that Chris Brown should be held liable for injuries she sustained when a dog mauled her at his residence in 2020. She has filed a lawsuit seeking $90 million in damages, alleging negligence on Brown's part.

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The Controversy Over Past Domestic Violence Allegations

Avila wants the court to allow evidence of Brown's 2009 felony assault conviction related to his domestic violence case with Rihanna. She argues this information is relevant to challenge Brown's credibility during the trial.

"Chris pled guilty to felony assault in connection with a domestic violence dispute involving Rihanna in 2009," Avila's legal team stated in court documents.

Brown's attorneys counter that the incident is over a decade old and unrelated to the dog attack, making it irrelevant and potentially prejudicial to the jury.

"Any talk of domestic violence, particularly those that occurred more than a decade ago and bear no connection to the subject incident, is improper, irrelevant, and unduly prejudicial," Brown's lawyer argued.

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Chris Brown's Defense and Trial Outlook

Brown denies any wrongdoing in the dog attack case, claiming that Avila provoked the dog. The court's decision on whether to allow the domestic violence evidence could significantly impact the trial's direction.

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What’s Next in the Legal Battle?

As the trial approaches, the judge will decide if Brown's past assault case can be introduced as evidence. This ruling will shape the arguments and potentially influence the jury's perception of Brown's character and liability.

The case continues to draw public and media attention, highlighting the complexities of legal battles involving high-profile figures and past controversies.

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