File picture of Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland. He is awaiting trial on charges of felony domestic violence against a former girlfriend. Photo Credit: AP
Justin Roiland, who created the animated series Rick and Morty and provides the voices of the two title characters, is awaiting trial on charges of felony domestic violence against a former girlfriend.
A criminal complaint obtained from The Associated Press from prosecutors in Orange County, California, charged Mr. Roiland, 42, with corporal injury and false imprisonment by menace, fraud, violence or deceit against the woman, who he was living with at the time. The woman was not identified in court documents.
Mr. Roiland has pleaded not guilty.
The incident occurred in January of 2020 and Mr. Roiland was charged in May of that year, but the charges apparently went unnoticed by media outlets until NBC news reported them on Thursday, when a pre-trial hearing was held in the case.
Emails seeking comment from Mr. Roiland’s attorney and representatives for Cartoon Networkwhich airs Rick and Morty, were not immediately returned. Roiland is set to return to court in April. A trial date has not been set.
Mr. Roiland and Dan Harmon created the animated sci-fi sitcom about a mad scientist and his grandson, both voiced by Mr. Roiland. It has aired for six seasons on Cartoon Network as part of its Adult Swim nighttime programming block, and has been renewed for a seventh.