22 March 2023 , 23:49
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Domestic violence charges against the co-creator of Rick and Morty Justin Roiland have been dropped, with the star saying he is "deeply shaken by the horrible lies".
Orange County district attorney spokeswoman Kimberly Edds said the two felony counts involving a former girlfriend were dropped “due to a lack of sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt”.
Roiland, 43, had been awaiting trial on charges of corporal injury and false imprisonment by menace, fraud, violence or deceit against the woman.
Responding to the developments on Twitter, Roiland said: "I have always known that these claims were false — and I never had any doubt that this day would come.
Moiland co-created Rick and Morty“I’m thankful this case has been dismissed but, at the same time, I’m still deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process.
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"Most of all, I'm disappointed so many people were so quick to judge without knowing the facts, based solely on the word of an embittered ex trying to bypass due process and have me "cancelled".
"That it may have succeeded, even partially is shameful. However, now the legal case has ended I'm determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name."
The charges dated to May 2020 but they apparently went unnoticed by media outlets until NBC News reported on them in January this year.
Rick and Morty was co-created by Dan Harmon (Getty Images North America)Roiland and Dan Harmon created the animated sci-fi sitcom about a mad scientist and his grandson, both voiced by Roiland.
It has aired for six seasons on Cartoon Network as part of its Adult Swim night-time programming block, and it has been renewed for a seventh.
Adult Swim and Cartoon Network cut ties with him when the charges were reported and said his roles would be recast. 20th TV Animation and Hulu Originals, which produce two other animated series Roiland worked on, did the same.
Roiland was arrested in August 2020 and bailed on a $50,000 (£41,000) bond after pleading not guilty.
In a statement, one of Roiland's attorneys wrote at the time: "We look forward to clearing Justin's name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible."
His attorney, T Edward Welbourn, added: "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."