Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler’s defense against allegations of s**ual abuse from a former teen accuses him of using manipulative tactics and endangering vulnerable children, according to the lawyer representing the accuser.
Tyler has argued that any claims made by Julia Misley (formerly known as Julia Holcomb) when she was 16 years old should be dismissed on the basis of consent.
He also claimed that his alleged status as Misley’s legal guardian at the time protected him from some of her accusations.
Misley’s attorney, Jeff Anderson, condemned these defense strategies as morally and legally repugnant, posing a significant risk to children in vulnerable positions.
According to Anderson, Tyler exploited a “sham legal guardianship” to evade prosecution for s** crimes, despite having a duty of care towards his client as part of their legal agreement.
The lawsuit alleges that Tyler placed Misley’s life in danger and coerced her into having an abortion after leaving her alone in an empty apartment while she was pregnant.
Last December, Misley, now 66, filed a lawsuit against Tyler in Los Angeles County Superior Court under the 2020 California Child Victims Act.
This act temporarily extends the statute of limitations for juvenile victims of s**ual abuse to file civil suits against their abusers until the end of 2022.
Similar laws have been implemented in other states, resulting in a wave of lawsuits being filed years after the alleged abuse occurred.
Misley’s lawsuit includes claims of s**ual assault, s**ual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, asserting that Tyler used his wealth and influence when she was a minor and he was in his 20s.
She states that her relationship with Tyler began in 1973, a month after she turned 16, when she met him backstage at an Aerosmith concert.
According to the lawsuit, Misley stayed overnight in Tyler’s hotel room, where he engaged in criminal s**ual conduct with her.
Misley alleges that Tyler flew her to various concerts over the following years while their s**ual relationship continued.
The lawsuit also claims that in 1974, Tyler persuaded Misley’s parents to sign over guardianship to him, enabling him to travel with her and avoid criminal prosecution.
In her lawsuit, Misley asserts that Tyler promised her parents that he would provide support, education, and medical care, but instead, he continued to assault her and supply her with alcohol and drugs.
Misley further alleges that she became pregnant in 1975 due to Tyler’s abuse and that he pressured her not to seek prenatal care.
During her pregnancy, Tyler allegedly left her in an apartment without sufficient resources, and a fire broke out, causing her to lose consciousness from smoke inhalation.
She claims that Tyler coerced her into having an abortion by threatening to send her back to her family and withdraw his support and love.
The lawsuit suggests that Tyler’s associates assisted in arranging the abortion at a non-Catholic facility.
On March 28, 2023, Tyler filed an answer to Misley’s complaint denying all allegations and requesting the dismissal of the lawsuit.
In his response, he listed 24 affirmative defenses, including consent and immunity.
Anderson strongly criticized Tyler’s defense, accusing him of gaslighting and retraumatizing his client.
He argued that Tyler’s claim of consent as a defense is a dangerous threat to the safety of vulnerable children in legal guardianships.
Anderson emphasized that guardianship does not imply any form of consent to s**ual abuse, regardless of the child’s age.
Anderson also condemned Tyler and the music industry as a whole for perpetuating harm and profiting from exploitation.
He called for accountability and urged other victims of abuse in the industry to come forward and help bring an end to these devastating actions.
Tyler’s legal team did not respond to requests for comment.
In Tyler’s 2004 memoir, he describes a relationship that aligns with some of Misley’s allegations.
However, he maintains that he is not responsible for the claims made in her lawsuit.
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