Chris Brown Fights Back Against $13 Million Dog-Attack Verdict — And Rihanna’s Name Is Back in the Courtroom

 Chris Brown is fighting to overturn a nearly $13 million civil verdict stemming from a 2020 dog attack at his California home—and his legal team says an unexpected reference to his past with Rihanna may have unfairly influenced the jury.

In a motion filed in August, Brown’s attorneys asked the court to throw out the $12.9 million award given to former housekeeper Maria Avila and grant him a new trial. The legal team argues that the verdict was tainted when Avila’s attorney asked Brown during cross-examination whether he was a convicted felon. Brown answered yes, bringing his 2009 felony assault conviction involving Rihanna into the proceedings.

A Question Brown’s Team Says Changed Everything

Brown’s attorneys argue that his decades-old domestic-violence case had nothing to do with the injuries suffered by Avila in the dog attack.

According to the motion, the reference was highly prejudicial and gave jurors information about an unrelated incident that could affect how they viewed Brown’s credibility. His lawyers contend that the jury was effectively permitted to consider the old conviction when evaluating his testimony.

The controversy is especially notable because the judge had previously ruled before trial that evidence concerning Brown’s 2009 assault of Rihanna could not be introduced to the jury.

The Case Behind the $13 Million Verdict

The lawsuit centers on a December 2020 incident at Brown’s Tarzana residence involving his large guard dog, Hades.

Maria Avila said she was taking out the trash when the dog attacked her, leaving her with serious injuries. A Los Angeles jury ultimately found Brown and his company liable and awarded Avila $12.9 million. Her sister, Patricia Avila, was awarded an additional $885,000, while Maria’s husband received $50,000.

Brown testified during the original trial that he had warned the housekeepers not to go outside without an escort because of the dog. He also acknowledged accepting some responsibility for what happened while disputing full liability.

Now, Brown Wants a Reset

Brown’s attorneys are also challenging the size of the damages, arguing that the nearly $13 million award cannot be reconciled with the evidence presented regarding injuries and damages.

But Avila’s legal team is pushing back hard.

Her attorney, Nancy Doumanian, has defended the verdict and argued that the evidence presented at trial was overwhelming. She has also criticized Brown’s attempt to obtain a new trial, signaling that the plaintiffs believe the jury reached the correct conclusion.

What Happens Next?

For now, the verdict remains in place while the court considers Brown’s request.

The case has now taken another dramatic turn, with a multimillion-dollar judgment, a serious injury claim and an infamous chapter of Brown’s past colliding inside the same courtroom.

Whether the judge grants a new trial—or leaves the $13 million verdict standing—could become one of the biggest legal developments surrounding the singer this year.

And once again, a courtroom battle involving Chris Brown has put his past, present and public image under the microscope.