'Rick and Morty' Co-Creator Justin Roiland's Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed, Slams 'Horrible Lies' (UPDATE)

UPDATED 3/22, 7:00 p.m. ET: Justin Roiland has had his charges dismissed in a felony domestic violence case. News of the dismissal came Wednesday morning in Orange County where the charges were originally filed.

A spokesperson for the District Attorney said the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence that would make Roiland guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Roiland called it “justice” and stated, “I have always known that these claims were false—and I never had any doubt that this day would come. I’m thankful that 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.”

“Most of all,” the 43-year-old continued, “I’m disappointed that 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 ‘canceled.’ That it may have succeeded, even partially, is shameful. However, now that the legal case has ended, I’m determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name.”

See original story below.

UPDATED 1/24, 5:40 p.m. ET:The Hollywood Reporter received official word announcing the termination of Roiland’s relationship with Adult Swim.

“Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland,” stated Adult Swim/Cartoon Network/Boomerang SVP of communications Marie Moore on Tuesday.

THR sources indicate Rick and Morty will keep going and Roiland’s voice roles will be given to new actors.

“Though Roiland will always be credited as co-creator, fellow co-creator Dan Harmon will now be the lone showrunner,” the magazine writes. “The show is locked in through Season 10.”

See original story below.

Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland has been charged with felony domestic violence in connection with a 2020 incident involving a woman he was dating at the time, NBC News reported.

Roiland, who also voices the titular characters in the animated Adult Swim series, appeared in court on Thursday, January 12 for a pre-trial hearing. The 42-year-old voice actor, animator, producer, and writer was initially charged in May 2020 over the alleged incident, which happened on or around Jan. 19, 2020. Per the criminal complaint, Roiland was charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud, and/or deceit.

He was arrested and released on a $50,000 bond in August 2020, but details regarding the case have not been publicly disclosed but it involves an anonymous Jane Doe who Roiland was dating. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2020, and the case has had a number of court hearings since. There has not been a scheduled date for the trial, however.

A protective order was failed against him in October 2020, prohibiting him from harassing, threatening, or surveilling the alleged victim. He is also not allowed within 100 feet of the person, and the order is set to last until at least October 2023. During the pre-trial hearing on Thursday, his attorney said a plea deal is on the table.

Besides his work on Rick and Morty, which he co-creator with Dan Harmon, Roiland also co-created and stars in Hulu’s Solar Opposites. In 2007, he founded his own animation studio Justin Roiland’s Solo Vanity Card Productions, which has served as a production company for most of his projects. Other ventures include his video game development studio Squanch Games, which released comedic first-person shooter High on Life last month.