California prosecutors have decided to drop all domestic violence charges against Justin Roiland, the co-creator of the popular animated series Rick and Morty, due to a lack of sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. The charges, which were filed in May 2020, stemmed from an alleged incident of corporal injury and false imprisonment by menace, fraud, violence, or deceit against Roiland’s former girlfriend. The woman, who was not identified in court documents, was living with Roiland at the time of the alleged incident.
Roiland, who is 43 years old, is said to be relieved by the decision, stating on Twitter that he has “always known that these claims were false” and never doubted that he would be cleared of the charges. He also expressed his disappointment that so many people were quick to judge him without knowing the facts, and that he is still “deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process.”
The charges against Roiland were only reported by media outlets this year, and as a result, many fans and supporters of the show were unaware of the allegations against him. Adult Swim and Cartoon Network, the networks that produce Rick and Morty, had previously cut ties with Roiland and recast his roles, citing the allegations against him. Other companies that work with Roiland, including 20th TV Animation and Hulu Originals, also severed their ties with him.
Rick and Morty Co-Creator Justin Roiland (Via Justin Roiland/Twitter)
In his Twitter statement, Roiland announced that he is determined to move forward and focus on his creative projects as well as restoring his good name. He has yet to release any new information about his upcoming projects, but fans of the show are likely eager to see what he has in store for them.
The development comes as a relief to many fans who were worried about the future of Rick and Morty and the impact that the allegations against Roiland might have on the show. While the charges against Roiland have been dropped, it remains to be seen how his reputation will be affected, and whether he will be able to regain the trust of his fans and colleagues.
