Judge says Travis Scott must face jury trial in Astroworld lawsuits
Rapper Travis Scott is now expected to face a jury trial after his motion from a judge earlier this week.
Travis Scott, real name Jacques Bermon Webster II, was hoping to have the sprawling litigation the 2021 disaster at the Astroworld music festival dismissed.
Back in 2021, during the festival in which 50,000 supporters attended, 10 fans died and hundreds more injured after a stampede broke out.
On Wednesday (April 24), Judge Kristen Hawkin denied the motion meaning the rapper will have to face a trial next month. The judge offered no written rationale for her ruling.
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The first trial in the massive litigation, a wrongful death case filed by the family of 23 year-old Madison Dubiski who died at Astroworld, is set to start on May 6.
According to reports at the time, the festival goers who tragically passed away ranged in age from nine to 27. The official cause of death was asphyxiation, meaning they were unable to breathe due to be being crushed in the crowd.
In the wake of the incident, the Houston native released a statement saying the tragedy left him 'distraught'.
Scott’s attorneys had argued that the safety of the event was not the responsibility of the performing artists and argued he was not responsible.
“Like any other adrenaline-inducing diversion, music festivals must balance exhilaration with safety and security—but that balance is not the job of performing artists, even those involved in promoting and marketing performances,” Daniel Petrocelli, Scott’s attorney wrote.
“Which only makes sense: Performing artists, even those who engage in certain promotional activities, have no inherent expertise or specialized knowledge in concert safety measures, venue security protocols, or site-design.”
Previously, when a Texas grand jury declined to indict Travis on any criminal charges relating to the concert, Lawyer Kent Schaffer, made a similar statement.
“He never encouraged people to do anything that resulted in other people being hurt. Travis is not responsible,” he said.
Dubiski’s attorney has argued back against these claims and insisted Scott had a ‘conscious disregard for safety.’
Reports have stated the attorney supported this claim by referencing a tweet Scott allegedly posted on the day of the concert in which he said ‘we still sneaking the wild ones in.’
They also argued that he ignored orders from festival organizers to stop the concert when conditions turned dangerous.
UNILAD has contacted Travis Scott’s representatives for comment.
Topics: Music, Travis Scott, US News
Gerrard Kaonga