Steven Tyler Sexual Abuse Trial Set for May 2027 as Judge Reviews Dismissed Claims

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler's civil sexual abuse trial has been rescheduled for May 3, 2027, after a new Los Angeles judge agreed to reconsider rulings that dismissed much of the lawsuit brought by a woman who alleges the singer sexually abused her when she was a teenager in the 1970s.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Riff set the date during a hearing Monday, November 9, 2026. He gave attorneys until November 20 to identify decisions they want reconsidered following Judge Patricia Young's recusal in September, which disrupted a trial scheduled to begin later that month.

Riff said he would set aside and rehear any of Young's rulings challenged by either party, relying on arguments already submitted rather than allowing additional filings. He also plans to reconsider her decisions about what evidence jurors may hear.

Attorneys for Julia Misley, who filed the lawsuit in December 2022, intend to challenge an earlier ruling that allowed California allegations to proceed while dismissing claims involving Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington.

The decision substantially narrowed Misley's case, leaving allegations involving California for trial. A new ruling could restore some of the dismissed claims, although Riff has made no determination about whether they should proceed.

Tyler's attorney, David Long-Daniels, opposed reconsidering the dismissal. He argued that Young's discussions with the previously disqualified judge concerned more recent evidentiary questions and did not affect her earlier decision on the out-of-state allegations.

Misley's lawyers disputed whether the timing and scope of those discussions could be established without further inquiry. Riff declined to investigate the conversations directly, explaining that court rules prevented him from speaking privately with Young about the case.

Young stepped aside less than two weeks before the previously scheduled September trial after disclosing that she had discussed the proceedings with another judge who had already been disqualified. Her withdrawal prompted another reassignment and delayed the trial.

Riff said both parties deserve confidence that the outcome will be free from questions about the fairness of earlier proceedings. He acknowledged that reconsidering prior orders would increase legal costs but indicated that the additional hearings should not substantially delay the case.

Misley, formerly known as Julia Holcomb, alleges that Tyler began sexually abusing her in 1973, when she was 16 and he was 25. She claims the relationship continued for several years and involved alleged misconduct in multiple states.

Her lawsuit was filed under California's Child Victims Act, which temporarily reopened the filing period for certain childhood sexual abuse claims. The parties have disputed whether claims involving conduct outside California can proceed and whether applicable filing deadlines have expired.

Tyler denies wrongdoing. His attorneys have argued that the relationship was consensual under the laws governing their conduct and that the allegations involving other states cannot be pursued in California. Misley's lawyers maintain that his conduct violated applicable laws and that her claims should be allowed to proceed.

The singer has discussed aspects of the relationship in his 2011 memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?, including arrangements involving Misley's parents and their travels together. The parties disagree about the legal significance of those events.

Riff expects to hold a new hearing in January on the disputed summary adjudication ruling, which dismissed portions of Misley's case before trial. Attorneys must submit their requests for reconsideration by November 20, with jury selection and trial scheduled to begin May 3, 2027.