Taylor Swift appears in court for groping case

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Pop superstar Taylor Swift appeared in a Denver courtroom on Monday observing jury selection for the trial of a radio DJ accused of groping her during a photo shot.

Swift, 27, said radio DJ David Mueller grabbed her by the buttock during a visit backstage at the Pepsi Center in Denver in June 2013 before a concert.

Taylor Swift /Photo via Variety

Taylor is expected to take the stand during the trial in U.S. District court to testify about the incident, which resulted in broadcaster David Mueller's firing from Colorado music station KYGO-FM. Officials expect the jury to be seated and opening statements to begin on Tuesday.

Mueller was fired two days after the allegations. He launched a lawsuit against Swift in September 2015, alleging that she should have called the police rather than her managers and that she had caused him to lose his job and salary.

Mueller accuses Swift's aides of calling the radio station to demand his firing the day after the encounter, according to court documents. Mueller said in the lawsuit he was aware of an incident but said it was one of his friends who had touched her inappropriately and then bragged about it.

Swift has counter-sued for sexual assault, saying she was "forced to start a one hour concert before 13,000 fans while still in distress after being so inappropriately touched."

Shannon Melcher (left) and David Mueller (right) with his hand behind Taylor Swift at the Pepsi Center. /TMZ Photo

A photo published by the TMZ celebrity news website showing Swift posing between Mueller and his girlfriend is expected to be among the key pieces of evidence. In the image, the DJ's hand is level with the pop-star's backside but it's not clear if it is touching.

Swift testified at a deposition that she is certain that Mueller intentionally grabbed her.

"It was not an accident, it was completely intentional, and I have never been so sure of anything in my life," Swift said during the deposition.

Mueller denies inappropriately touching Swift and is suing the singer-songwriter for three million US dollars while Swift is seeking one US dollar and a ruling that holds him responsible. The "Shake It off" and "Bad Blood" singer argues that a verdict in her favor will serve as an example for other women who might fear coming forward in similar circumstances.

(Source: AFP/Reuters)

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