Doe filed the lawsuit in January 2021, alleging that Way subjected her to repeated sexual assaults, physical abuse, and held her against her will during their time together. She claimed that within the first month of employment in late 2018, Way began sending unsolicited explicit images and that their relationship quickly became abusive. Doe testified that Way’s behavior included physical violence, threats, and sexual assaults, leading to significant emotional and physical harm.
Throughout the trial, photographs of Doe’s injuries and text messages between the two were presented as evidence. Way’s defense argued that threatening texts were not intended to be taken literally and that the photographs did not conclusively show he caused the injuries. They also suggested that Doe’s lawsuit was financially motivated.
In closing arguments, Doe’s attorneys requested $73.6 million in damages, detailing the severity of the alleged abuse. Way’s legal team countered by portraying Doe as an extortionist driven by greed. They denied the abuse allegations and questioned Doe’s credibility.
This case adds to a series of legal troubles for Way. In 2019, he was arrested for probation violations related to firearm possession and assault allegations. He served time in jail and faced additional legal challenges in subsequent years.
Representatives for both Doe and Way did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the verdict.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, support is available through the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at rainn.org. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org.
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