Judge recuses herself from Steven Tyler sexual assault lawsuit

Judge Patricia A. Young has recused herself from the sexual assault lawsuit filed against Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, less than two weeks before the jury trial was scheduled to begin on September 28.

During a status conference in Los Angeles, Judge Young informed attorneys that she had determined she was disqualified from hearing the case. The recusal follows a disagreement between the parties regarding a potential conflict of interest. Because the attorneys did not agree to allow her to remain on the case, Young stated, “Since the parties do not waive the grounds for disqualification, I will officially declare myself recused.”

The lawsuit was filed in December 2022 by Julia Misley, who alleges that Tyler committed sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress during a relationship that began when she was a teenager in the 1970s. While many of Misley's claims were dismissed earlier this year, a judge ruled in April that an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim could proceed.

The upcoming trial date has been removed from the calendar. Attorneys are ordered to appear before Supervising Judge Lawrence Riff on Friday, September 18, for a status conference to discuss the reassignment of the case and determine if it is ready for trial.