Taylor Swift In Courtroom During Jury Selection
DENVER (CBS4) - Jury selection will continue Tuesday in the civil trial involving singer Taylor Swift.
It's a different venue for the music star. Her stage is now the courtroom. Her fans waiting for a glimpse.
Among the fans outside was Maya Benia, hoping to get a letter to Swift.
"I want her to know that I admire her so much for speaking up about sexual assault," Benia said.
It was during the shooting of a photo obtained by TMZ that Swift claims now former DJ David Mueller, known as "Jackson," lifted her skirt and grabbed her buttocks.
Mueller denies it and is suing Swift, her mother, and a manager for getting him fired.
The photo was taken at a "meet and greet" before a concert on the "Red Tour" at the Pepsi Center in June, 2013.
Legal analyst Karen Steinhauser says that while Swift is trying to prove she was a victim of assault and battery, Mueller's claim is quite different.
"The plaintiff-defendant is seeking money damages claiming that she interfered with his business contract," Steinhauser said.
Among the questions asked of prospective jurors on the questionnaire were:
- Have you ever considered yourself a fan of Taylor Swift?
- Have you ever considered yourself a fan of Jackson?
- Have you ever been inappropriately touched?
One prospective juror indicated she was touched while young in a manner that was not appropriate. She told the court she could serve and be a fair juror.
Swift fan Arturo Chacon was present at the courthouse, but not called for jury duty. he made it clear whose side he is on in the trial.
"I am here to support Taylor Swift, and am a very great fan of hers," he said.
But on person who was summoned to be in the jury pool put down on the questionnaire that Taylor Swift "seemed pretty."
Eight people are being selected for the panel in the civil case.
The trial is set aside for nine days, but could last longer or shorter.
Those wanting to get into the courthouse must line up no earlier than 6 a.m.
There will be morning and afternoon sessions. Some members of the public will be allowed into the courtroom, with room for an additional 75 people in the overflow courtroom where a video feed is set up.
Opening statements are expected to begin Tuesday afternoon.
LINK: Taylor Swift Trial Jury Questionnaire
CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.
