Judge rules in favor of Katy Perry in legal battle with veteran over California home
A Los Angeles judge has issued a proposed ruling in favor of Katy Perry in her ongoing legal battle over a home in California.
Perry and her husband Orlando Bloom went to trial with veteran Carl Westcott earlier this year, after the celebrity couple purchased his home in Montecito for $14.2 million.
The sale went through in 2021, but Westcott later filed a lawsuit claiming the sale had been made while he was under the influence of 'several intoxicating pain-killing opiates' after undergoing surgery.
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Court documents saw Westcott allege he had 'lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature and probable consequences of the contract', but Perry's side hit back at his claims.
The singer even responded to the lawsuit by requesting more than $5 million in damages, which she claims amounted due to loss of potential rental income and for the cost of maintaining other properties she and Bloom rent.
On Wednesday (8 November), Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Lipner ruled in favor of Perry and Bloom as he found that Westcott had no substantial evidence to support his claims about lacking mental capacity.
Referring to the testimony of Westcott's own medical expert, the judge said: “While Dr. Gary Small testified towards the end of direct examination that he believed Westcott lacked the capacity to contract on July 15 and July 18, 2020, he failed to provide a compelling explanation of how he reached that conclusion.
“Dr. Small’s testimony did not provide a sufficient basis for the court to conclude that Westcott lacked the competence to sign the sales contract.”
The verdict is expected to become permanent after a 10-day waiting period, but Perry's attorney Eric Rowen described the proposed decision as 'crystal clear'.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Rowen said: "The judge has concluded that Mr. Westcott was in full possession of his faculties when he engaged in complex negotiations with multiple parties to finalize the lucrative sale of the property, which ultimately brought him a substantial profit.
"The evidence overwhelmingly shows that Mr. Westcott breached the contract simply because he changed his mind. We eagerly anticipate resolving this matter during the scheduled damage trial phase set for February 13 and 14, if not sooner."
Westcott’s son, Chart Westcott, hit back at the ruling in a statement to The New York Post, saying: "Where the judge’s ruling may follow the letter of the law, it shows that the law has no spirit. Katy Perry will now have to testify, in person, to receive her ‘damages'.
“We look forward to her testimony, and to her being confronted with possible sanctions for perjury. Perry has put herself in a box by claiming that she lost years of rental income and is owed damages, which is counter to her sworn statements about wanting to live in the house.
"We hope Ms. Perry enjoys her pyrrhic victory, as she explains to her fans about twice taking homes from the elderly. Lastly, we wish the judge had spelled our father’s name correctly."
The legal battle will come to an end after the damage trial phase, during which Perry is expected to testify.
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Katy Perry, Money
Emily Brown