Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland has been cleared of all felony domestic violence charges almost two years after the accusations were made.
Roiland was charged with one count of domestic battery with corporal injury, and one count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud or deceit. The woman in question was not named, but has now been confirmed as someone Roiland was dating at the time of the alleged incident.
Kimberly Edds, spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s office, said in a statement: “We dismissed the charges today as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Roiland took to social media to comment on the development.
“I have always known that these claims were false — and I never had any doubt that this day would come,” he said in the statement. “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, 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.'”
Roiland added, “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.”
Adult Swim severed ties with Roiland when the charges were made public, with fellow co-creator Dan Harmon taking over as lone showrunner. Could Roiland return now that he's in the clear? It seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened.
Roiland also provided the voices for both Rick and Morty (as well as a number of supporting characters), so if he doesn't rejoin the fold, the misanthropic time-traveller and his put-upon grandson will be recast for the remaining seasons.