Case # 348293: Celebrity Exes vs.

The defendant (Taylor Swift) is on trial in Washington D.C. for the crimes of serial dating and libel**. Swift is accused of dating celebrities to increase her street cred. and then using their breakups to write songs that paint her ex-boyfriends in a negative way. The trial date is 3/10/2015, and you are one of the jurors that will decide Swift’s fate. Please read through the facts of this case carefully. A woman’s fate lies in your hands today, and it is your civic duty to give her a fair trial.

**libel- n. to publish in print (including pictures), writing or broadcast through radio, television or film, an untruth about another which will do harm to that person

Opening Statements: The prosecutor, representing the following celebrities: Joe Jonas, , John Mayer, and Jake Gyllenhall, is the first to give his opening statement in which he outlines his case against the defendant. He explains the purpose of his remarks is to give the jury and overall idea of how he will show them that Taylor Swift is guilty of serial dating celebrities and then bashing them in her songs after she is done using them.

The defense attorney, a lawyer hired by Swift, reminds the jury that she does not bear the burden of proving the defendant innocent because she is innocent until proven guilty. She also reminds the jury that Swift must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Both lawyers are low-key and unemotional during their presentations.

The Case: The prosecutor presents his case first. He questions all 4 of Swift’s ex-boyfriends. Each of them is kept outside the courtroom and are called in one at a time. After the prosecution’s examination of witnesses, the Defense cross-examines. The Prosecution is then allowed another examination before the witness is excused.

Summary of the Prosecution’s Case: Joe Jonas testified that he broke up with her over the phone, which is something she has complained about on Ellen Degeneres' show and elsewhere. She got her record company to let her record a song about it, to add at the last minute to her . Forever & Always is the name of that song. She also wrote 'Last Kiss' about him and 'Better than Revenge' is about his ex-girlfriend, Camila Belle. Jonas says that the publicity has been damaging to his career.

Taylor Lautner claimed he was the subject of the song, Back to December. Though the song sounds like an apology to him, he claims that the lyrics make him sound foolish, such as Your guard is up and I know why. Because the last time you saw me is still burned in the back of your mind ...you gave me roses and I left them there to die. So this is me swallowing my pride, standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night. And I go back to December all the time. You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye." He feels like the song was “more of a diss than an apology, who wants to date someone who is “guarded” and then dumped?” he stated during his time on the stand.

Jake Gyllenhaal reported that he spent $160,000 to have her flown over on a private jet for a date. He later broke up with her through text. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, State of Grace, , Girl at Home and The Moment I Knew are rumored to be about him.

John Mayer stated he was the inspiration for the songs Dear John and are rumored to be about her ex-boyfriend John Mayer, whom she had a fling with at one time.

Summary of the Case for the Defense: The defense attorney only calls 1 witness, the defendant. The prosecution does not cross-examine the defendant.

Defendant: Taylor Swift approached the stand and stated that she doesn’t think that you can draw a clear connection to any specific person from her lyrics, so none of the plaintiffs should have been personally harmed by her songs, which have been played continuously on the radio since their release. She began to cry as she explained that many artists put the pain that they’ve experienced in life into their artwork, and her breakups with each celebrity provided her with feelings that she needed to get out through her music.

Closing Arguments:

The judge tells the jury the lawyers will present closing arguments. The prosecutor goes first and is then given a second chance to speak after the defense has given her closing argument. The judge explains that the prosecutor goes twice because he bears the burden of proof. He points out that both sides are given the same amount of time to speak even though the prosecutor speaks twice.

Prosecutor: The attorney goes through the facts that he has previously presented. He identifies the evidence (song lyrics) and explains the connection between each song and the man that it slanders. He emphasizes that each person’s career has been damaged by Swift’s outbursts on television and through radio music.

Defense: The defense states that since Swift did not name each person in her songs, the connection can not be made between the ex-boyfriend and the song. She again reminds the jury that the defendant is not guilty unless all members believe her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

JURY INSTRUCTIONS

The judge states: Serial dating and slander—dating celebrities to increase popularity and then bashing them to hurt their careers—is a serious charge tried in our criminal courts. You’ve heard a long and complex case, jury, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fancy. The careers of 4 men are in jeopardy. The career of 1 woman is at stake. If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused … then you must declare her not guilty. If, however, there is no reasonable doubt, then she must be found guilty. Whichever way you decide, the verdict must be unanimous. I urge you to deliberate honestly and thoughtfully. You are faced with a grave responsibility. Thank you, jury.