A judge has ruled that Travis Scott must stand trial and face a jury in the ongoing Astroworld civil lawsuit.
State District Judge Kristen Hawkins made the ruling and effectively put an end to Scott’s bid to be dismissed from the suit, according to the Associated Press. Scott’s attorney, Daniel Petrocelli, had previously argued that the “Sicko Mode” rapper shouldn’t be held responsible for safety measures and precautions at the 2021 festival that ended when the massive audience rushed the stage and ten fans were trampled to death.
“Like any other adrenaline-inducing diversion, music festivals must balance exhilaration with safety and security — but that balance is not the job of performing artists, even those involved in promoting and marketing performances,” Petrocelli said last month when filing to have the case dismissed. “Which only makes sense: Performing artists, even those who engage in certain promotional activities, have no inherent expertise or specialized knowledge in concert safety measures, venue security protocols, or site design.”
Petrocelli’s arguments were shot down in court by attorneys representing the families of the victims. Attorney Noah Wexler, who represents the family of deceased concertgoer Madison Dubiski, countered that Scott showed a “conscious disregard for safety” when he encouraged fans without tickets to rush the security fences and ignored the event staff’s pleas to stop the show when the stampede got out of hand.
All ten of the deceased died from compression asphyxia after being trampled at the November 2021 festival held at Houston’s NRG Park.
The Houston District Attorney announced in June 2023 that the 32-year-old rapper would not face criminal chargers after a grand jury ruled him not liable for the incident.
“It is tragic that ten innocent people were killed while trying to enjoy an evening of music and entertainment, something many of us do routinely and without a second thought to our safety. But a tragedy isn’t always a crime, and not every death is a homicide,” said DA Kim Ogg said at the time via statement. “This grand jury’s determination has no impact on the many civil lawsuits pending.”
The first of potentially many civil trials against Scott and concert promoter Live Nation will begin on May 6.
