‘Rick and Morty’ co-creator Justin Roiland’s domestic violence charges dropped
Domestic violence charges against Justin Roiland, co-creator of the Cartoon Network adult series “Rick and Morty,” were dropped Wednesday in California.
“We dismissed the charges today as a result of having insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” a spokesperson for Orange County District Attorney’s office told The Post.
The Post has contacted reps for Roiland, 43, for comment. A spokesperson for Warner Media, Cartoon Network’s parent company, declined to comment Wednesday.
The network cut ties with Roiland in January after news of the charges broke.
“I have always known that these claims were false — and I never had any doubt that this day would come,” Roiland said Wednesday in a statement posted to Twitter.
“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.”
He continued: “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.’”
The two-time Emmy winner, who voiced the show’s eponymous characters Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, was charged in 2020 with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit.
The charges stemmed from an alleged attack on an unidentified woman that Roiland was said to be dating in early 2020. He had pleaded not guilty.
Roiland was released on a $50,000 bond in August 2020 before being arraigned in October of that year, records show.
NBC News first reported the charges in January.
“Rick and Morty” debuted in 2013, and its sixth season aired last year.
Adult Swim announced in January it had cut ties with Roiland, assuring fans that “the talented and dedicated crew” were working on Season 7 of the animated sitcom.
Roiland has also launched the Hulu programs “Solar Opposites” and “Koala Man” in addition to releasing the video game “High on Life” and selling NFT collections and artwork.
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