Chris Avellone Lawsuit Settled [Mar 26, 2023, 11:48 am ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
A
post on Medium by Chris Avellone announces a lawsuit he filed over sexual
predation allegations has been dismissed with prejudice. He says this has
resulted in his attorney's fees being refunded and a "seven-figure payout"
despite describing it as a "confidential settlement." The post shares what is
purported to be a joint statement from Kelly Bristol and Karissa Barrows, two
women who had accused the embattled developer of sexual misconduct. Avellone
filed a libel suit against Barrows, Bristol, and 100 Jane Does
in 2021 after
their
allegations he engaged in sexual predation. Avallone later filed
another suit against just
Barrows for defamation. The backlash immediately cost him work, including his
consultant roles on Dying Light 2 and Bloodlines 2. Chris goes on
to speak about real challenges the industry still needs to face. He also
expresses appreciation for "the willingness of Ms. Barrows and Ms. Bristol to
work with us in addressing issues within the game community," which seems odd.
He asks that everyone respect the privacy of Barrows and Bristol going forward.
Here is the included statement:
“After engaging with Mr. Avellone, we have prepared the following statement:
Mr. Avellone never sexually abused either of us. We have no knowledge that he has ever sexually abused any women. We have no knowledge that Mr. Avellone has ever misused corporate funds. Anything we have previously said or written about Mr. Avellone to the contrary was not our intent. We wanted to support women in the industry. In so doing, our words have been misinterpreted to suggest specific allegations of misconduct that were neither expressed nor intended. We are passionate about the safety, security and agency of women, minorities, LGBTQIA+ persons, and every other community that has seen persecution in the video game industry. We believe Mr. Avellone shares a desire to protect and uplift those communities. We believe that he deserves a full return to the industry and support him in those endeavors.”
- Karissa Barrows, Kelly Rae Bristol
Beamer wrote on Apr 1, 2023, 09:20:ChatGTP wrote on Apr 1, 2023, 03:54:
This case is a reminder of how important due process and the presumption of innocence is. The concept of "due process" refers to the legal requirement that a person be treated fairly and justly when they are accused of a crime or wrongdoing. In a just society, due process is essential because it helps to ensure that people are not unfairly punished or deprived of their rights.
One of the key principles of due process is the presumption of innocence. This means that an accused person is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, and that they are entitled to a fair and impartial trial where evidence is presented and they are given an opportunity to defend themselves.
The MeToo movement has highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, and has led to many high-profile accusations and firings. However, it is important to remember that even in cases of sexual misconduct, due process must be respected. Accusations alone should not be enough to result in punishment, and the accused person must be given the opportunity to defend themselves and present evidence.
While it may be tempting to bypass due process in cases of sexual misconduct, doing so would undermine the principles of justice and fairness that are essential to a just society. The accused person's rights must be respected, and they must be given a fair trial in order to ensure that justice is served. By upholding due process, we can ensure that the guilty are held accountable while also protecting the rights of the innocent.
Socially, we need a lower standard than presumed innocent. If a boy scout leader is accused by several boys of molesting them, isn't it irresponsible to keep letting him take other boys camping until there's a trial? Especially since there's rarely evidence of such things and trials are solely he said, she said, and never outright proven?
And, as Sepharo keeps pointing out, he clearly isn't wholly innocent. He's still a sex pest, but not a sex offender.
In situations such as the one you have described, where multiple accusations have been made against someone for a serious crime such as sexual assault or abuse, it may be reasonable to take measures to protect potential victims. However, it is important to balance the need to protect against the presumption of innocence and due process.
It is understandable to have concerns about allowing someone to continue in a position of authority or access to potential victims when there are credible accusations against them. In such cases, it may be appropriate to temporarily remove them from that position while an investigation is carried out.
It is also important to note that while some cases may rely solely on "he said, she said" evidence, there are still legal processes in place to determine guilt or innocence. A thorough investigation and legal process may reveal additional evidence or inconsistencies in the accusations that could impact the outcome.
Ultimately, it is essential to uphold the principles of justice and fairness while also taking measures to protect potential victims. Accusations should be taken seriously, but they must be subject to a fair and impartial investigation, and the accused person should be given an opportunity to defend themselves.
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