Rick And Morty co-creator attacks 'cancelling' culture as domestic violence lawsuit dismissed

Rick and Morty and High on Life co-creator Justin Roiland has heavily criticised ‘cancel culture’ after a domestic violence lawsuit filed against him by an ex-girlfriend was dismissed.

In January, it became public knowledge that a felony domestic violence charge had been filed against Roiland relating to a supposed incident that took place in 2020, as evidenced by a criminal complaint filed in May of that year by the Orange County district attorney. On 12 January 2023, Roiland appeared at a pre-trial hearing attesting his innocence, pleading not guilty to both charges made against him.

The supposed victim had made the complaint on or about 18 January 2020. Orange County Superior Court records showed that Roiland faced one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit. Roiland was charged in May 2020, before being released on a $50,000 bond in August of that year. A protective order was later filed against him.

In January 2023, when news of the case went public, Adult Swim - the network behind Rick and Morty - ended their relationship with Roiland who co-created the show and voiced the two leading characters. It was also revealed that Roiland would no longer work with Squanch Games on the continued development of High On Life.

As reported by Kotaku, Roiland has now taken to Twitter to announce that the legal case has ended with all charges against him dismissed. He wrote that he had “always known that these claims were false” and criticised those who sought to have him ‘cancelled’ by being “quick to judge without knowing the facts”.

Roiland said, “I have always known that these claims were false - and I never had any doubt that this day would come. 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 quick to judge without knowing the facts, based solely on the word of an embittered ex trying to bypass due process and have me ‘cancelled.’ That it may have succeeded, even partially, is shameful.”

He continued, “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.” It remains to be seen if any of Roiland’s previous positions will be reinstated.