Steven Tyler has been called out by his alleged sexual assault victim's lawyer after he reportedly "gaslighted" her by denying the claims.
The Aerosmith frontman's victim named Julia Holcomb Misley launched the sexual assault case before the deadline for filing California's Child Victims Act-related lawsuits on Dec. 31. She recounted in her initial filing that Tyler had a sexual relationship with her when she was only 16.
Steven Tyler Personally Breaks Silence on Alleged Victim's Claims
The "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" crooner issued a lengthy defense in Los Angeles County Superior Court where he said Misley consented to their relationship. He also noted that he had immunity since he became her legal guardian at that time.
Tyler presented 24 defenses to the court as he denied his alleged victim's claims. Among the first parts of his defense reads that Misley never suffered from any injury caused by any of his actions.
The singer further claimed that what was written in his memoir - which detailed his relationship with Misley decades ago - is protected under the first amendment.
In his book, he spoke about almost taking a teen bride and how he decided to sign a legal guardianship at that time. He admitted how much he was madly in love with the woman who was "barely old enough to drive and sexy as hell."
In addition, he explained that the statute of limitations on claims ultimately bars the allegations; however, Misley filed her lawsuit days before California's Child Victims Act closed.
Steven Tyler Accused of "Gaslighting" After His Response
Following Tyler's filing, Misley's representative Jeff Anderson slammed the singer for his "gaslighting" response and "using a sham legal guardianship to avoid prosecution for sex crimes."
Never have we encountered a legal defense as obnoxious and potentially dangerous as the one that Tyler and his lawyers launched this week: Their claim that legal guardianship is consent and permission for sexual abuse," Anderson went on.
Even the other lawyers who are not related in any way to the case also found it "unusual." Several experts told Insider that Tyler's memoir could already be treated as "shocking evidence." With that, Misley's camp could reportedly use it to cross-examine him in court.
McAllister Olivarius' attorney Ann Olivarius said Tyler could have ended it if he wanted to. However, he reportedly showed how "proud" he was of his action when he admitted it in his book.
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