Steven Tyler Sexual Assault Lawsuit Loses Second Judge Less Than Two Weeks Before Trial

Steven Tyler’s sexual assault lawsuit has lost its second judge less than two weeks before trial, forcing the case into reassignment as attorneys prepare to determine whether the Sept. 28 start date can remain on track.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Patricia A. Young recused herself Tuesday after disclosing a potential conflict to attorneys for Tyler and plaintiff Julia Misley. The parties were allowed to waive the issue and allow Young to remain, but they did not reach an agreement. “As a result of the parties not waiving, I will officially disqualify,” Young said during the hearing in Torrance.

Her departure comes about a year after Judge Tamara Hall left the same case. Attorneys are now scheduled to appear Friday before Supervising Judge Lawrence Riff at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse to address reassignment and whether the lawsuit remains ready for trial.

Young said she stopped making decisions after discovering the basis for her disqualification and would leave unresolved matters to the next judge. A source familiar with the hearing told Rolling Stone that Young had consulted another judge about the litigation and later learned that judge had previously been removed from the case. The court’s written recusal notice does not identify the underlying conflict.

Misley sued the Aerosmith frontman in December 2022, alleging he sexually abused her during a relationship that began in 1973, when she was 16 and Tyler was 25. Tyler has denied wrongdoing and has maintained that their relationship was consensual.

The lawsuit originally asserted sexual battery, sexual assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Most of the case was narrowed earlier this year when Young ruled that claims based on alleged conduct outside California could not proceed under California law. The remaining case centers on an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim involving alleged conduct in California in 1974.

Misley alleges Tyler used his position as a prominent musician to groom and exploit her during a relationship that lasted about three years and says he became her legal guardian. Tyler discussed the guardianship arrangement in his 2011 memoir, writing that Misley’s parents signed custody papers allowing her to travel with him. His account also described sexual encounters during their relationship.

Recent pretrial rulings had begun defining what jurors could hear. Young ruled that Misley could introduce evidence that Tyler held himself out as her guardian and testify about how she understood the relationship. Tyler was also permitted to present evidence concerning consent if jurors first determine that he did not occupy a position of authority over Misley.

Young’s recusal leaves those earlier orders in place while sending unresolved issues to the next judge. Attorneys are scheduled to appear Friday before Riff to address reassignment and whether the Sept. 28 trial date can remain in place.

The hearing is also expected to determine which judge will take over the case as it moves toward trial.