Steven Tyler is heading toward trial in a civil case brought by Julia Misley, formerly known as Julia Holcomb. Now, the Aerosmith singer and his accuser are disputing what jurors should hear about her abortion history.
Julia Holcomb’s 1975 abortion becomes a key dispute ahead of Steven Tyler trial
According to new legal documents, Tyler wants the court to block any reference to Holcomb’s 1975 abortion. His lawyers argue that it took place in Massachusetts after she turned 18. They also say it was not connected to the alleged conduct in California.
However, Tyler has a backup request. If the judge allows the 1975 abortion into evidence, he wants jurors to hear about another abortion Holcomb had in 1979. That pregnancy involved another man.
His lawyers say the later procedure could be relevant because Holcomb has linked the first abortion to her claimed emotional distress. They argue that the 1979 abortion could provide another possible source of some of that distress.
The abortion evidence dispute is only one part of the broader Steven Tyler lawsuit. Holcomb alleges that Tyler became involved with her in 1973 when she was 16. Her lawsuit includes allegations that he sexually abused her as a teenager and later pressured her to end a pregnancy. Tyler has denied the allegations.
The case has already been narrowed ahead of trial. A judge dismissed much of the lawsuit while allowing the California-based allegations to proceed. Tyler’s legal team called that ruling a major victory, while Holcomb’s lawyers said she would still have the opportunity to present her case to a jury.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Aug. 31 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. An April ruling left a narrower portion of the case for jurors to decide. The latest dispute does not determine whether Holcomb’s allegations are true. Instead, it centers on what evidence jurors may consider when evaluating her claims of emotional harm.
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