Assault Case Against Oscar-winning Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black Dismissed Due to Inconsistent Evidence

Judge cites glaring inconsistencies in Edwardes' narrative and lack of supporting CCTV footage as key reasons for dismissing the year-old assault charge against Black.

Dustin Lance Black, an Oscar-winning screenwriter, was acquitted on an assault charge after Judge Louisa Cieciora dismissed the case due to inconsistencies in the accuser, Teddy Edwardes', evidence.
Edwardes, a BBC presenter, claimed Black twisted her wrist 'very hard' and poured a drink over her at Freedom nightclub in London in August 2022, which led to her punching Black in response.
Judge Cieciora cited contradictions in Edwardes’ live evidence, pointing out she initially claimed she couldn’t remember a wrist grab, before asserting it did happen.
The court's judgment was also influenced by the lack of CCTV evidence to support Edwardes' claim that Black poured a drink over her.
Cases against both Black and Edwardes were raised, but Edwardes received only a police caution for her actions, while Black stood for a criminal trial.
After the dismissal, Black reiterated his innocence, stating that he was, in fact, the victim of a 'serious assault' in this case and expressed his relief that the matter is concluded.

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