Charges against Rick & Morty co-creator DROPPED, Justin Roiland declares 'justice'

On Wednesday, the Orange County District Attorney’s office in California dropped domestic violence charges against Justin Roiland, the co-creator and former star of the popular adult cartoon show Rick and Morty. This after the allegations resulted in Roiland's firing from the popular animated series.

"I have always known that these claims were false—and I never had any doubt that this day would come," Roiland said.

"I'm thankful that this case has been dismissed but, at the same time, I'm still deeply shaken by the horrible lies that were reported about me during this process. Most of all I'm disappointed that so many people were so quick to judge without knowing the facts, based solely on the word of an embittered ex trying to bypass due process and have me 'canceled.'"

"That it may have succeeded, even partially, is shameful," Roiland added.

On January 24, the producers of Rick and Morty announced that Adult Swim had terminated its association with Roiland and that the show would continue its seventh season without him.

The Orange County District Attorney’s office had previously charged Roiland with one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit and one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury. Roiland's accuser was referred to as Jane Doe in the case, in which Jane Doe made allegations in May 2020 concerning an incident that she claimed happened in January 2020.

In October 2020, Roiland pleaded not guilty to the charges and a hearing was set in April of 2023. 

Roiland's attorney said in January when the case was unsealed, "We also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney’s office has completed its methodical review of the evidence."

"We dismissed the charges today because there was insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt," DA spokeswoman Kimberly Edds said, noting that "significant additional information came to light," NBC News reports.

"However," Roiland said, "now that the legal case has ended, I'm determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name."