In June 2004, rapper Da Brat (real name Shawntae Harris) was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after she smashed a bottle of rum over the head of another woman, Shayla Stevens, at a nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia. The assault left Stevens with permanent brain damage, and she sued Da Brat for civil damages.
In 2007, a jury awarded Stevens $6.4 million in damages, finding that Da Brat had acted with willful misconduct. Da Brat appealed the verdict, but it was upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2011.
Da Brat served two and a half years in prison for the assault, and she was released in 2011. However, she has not paid any of the $6.4 million judgment awarded to Stevens.
In 2018, Da Brat filed for bankruptcy protection. She listed the $6.4 million judgment as one of her debts, but she claimed that she was unable to pay it.
Stevens objected to Da Brat’s bankruptcy filing, arguing that Da Brat had not made a good faith effort to pay her debt. She also argued that the debt should not be discharged because it was incurred as a result of Da Brat’s willful misconduct.
In 2019, a bankruptcy judge ruled in favor of Stevens, finding that Da Brat had not made a good faith effort to pay her debt and that the debt should not be discharged.
Da Brat has appealed the bankruptcy judge’s ruling, and the case is currently pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
FAQs:
Q: What is the status of Da Brat’s assault lawsuit?
A: The assault lawsuit is currently pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Q: Why has Da Brat not paid the judgment awarded to Shayla Stevens?
A: Da Brat has claimed that she is unable to pay the judgment. She also filed for bankruptcy protection in 2018, but a bankruptcy judge ruled that she had not made a good faith effort to pay the debt and that the debt should not be discharged.
Q: What could happen if Da Brat loses her appeal?
A: If Da Brat loses her appeal, she could be forced to pay the $6.4 million judgment awarded to Stevens. She could also be held in contempt of court if she refuses to pay.
Q: What is the significance of this case?
A: This case is significant because it highlights the importance of holding people accountable for their actions, even if they are celebrities. It also shows that bankruptcy protection cannot be used to avoid paying debts incurred as a result of willful misconduct.
Q: What can I do to help Shayla Stevens?
A: You can support Shayla Stevens by following her on social media and sharing her story. You can also donate to her GoFundMe campaign, which is raising money to help her cover her medical expenses and legal fees.
Conclusion
The Da Brat assault lawsuit is a complex case with a long history. However, the basic facts are clear: Da Brat assaulted Shayla Stevens with a bottle of rum, leaving her with permanent brain damage. A jury awarded Stevens $6.4 million in damages, but Da Brat has not paid any of the judgment.
Da Brat has appealed the bankruptcy judge’s ruling, but if she loses her appeal, she could be forced to pay the judgment or be held in contempt of court. This case is significant because it highlights the importance of holding people accountable for their actions, even if they are celebrities. It also shows that bankruptcy protection cannot be used to avoid paying debts incurred as a result of willful misconduct.
You can support Shayla Stevens by following her on social media and sharing her story. You can also donate to her GoFundMe campaign, which is raising money to help her cover her medical expenses and legal fees.
References:
- Da Brat Ordered to Pay $6.4 Million to Assault Victim: https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2014/02/27/Judge-orders-Da-Brat-to-pay-64-million-to-victim-UPDATE/5021393534294/
- Da Brat Files for Bankruptcy: https://www.xxlmag.com/da-brat-bankruptcy-assault-case/
- Bankruptcy Judge Rules Against Da Brat in Assault Lawsuit: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/rapper-da-brats-bankruptcy-blocks-state-court-contempt-ruling
