Earlier this month, we reported that the pop star Katy Perry was facing major backlash for suing a dying 85 year-old veteran for his $15 million mansion. Today, Perry is set to testify in this controversial trial.
Now, legal experts are saying that Perry’s testimony and her attitude during it will be a make or break moment in this case.
Perry’s Legal Battle Against ‘Dying’ Veteran
Perry, 40, is preparing to face off in court against the family of the 85 year-old disabled veteran Carl Westcott. Indeed, they are about to enter the second phase of their legal war after Westcott sold Perry, via her business manager Bernie Gudvi, his $15 million mansion in 2020.
Westcott, who suffers from the neurological disorder Huntington’s disease, changed his mind days later. Indeed, he tried to back out of this deal. He claimed that he hadn’t been in his right mind when he made the deal. Westcott alleged that he had been under the influence of pain medication following a recent surgery.
Perry, however, refused to let Westcott out of the deal. In December of 2023, a judge ruled in Perry’s favor, declaring her to be the rightful owner of the mansion in Santa Barbara, California.
Now, Perry is seeking up to $4.8 million in damages from Westcott. This includes an additional $2 million for damages to the property, citing structural defects, deferred maintenance, and lost rental income.
The judge has split their non-jury trial into two parts. The damages part of it took place last year. The penalty phase began last week.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Craig Weiner, partner in Blank Rome’s Business Litigation Group, is speaking out to warn Perry that her credibility will be tested when she testifies.
“The impact of Katy’s trial testimony will in large part rest on her credibility and ability to tell her side of the events in a clear and believable manner,” Weiner told Fox News. “As a litigant and celebrity, she should expect that the judge as trier of fact will pay close attention to the matter and possibly ask their own questions.”
“If she comes across as likable and truthful, her case will be helped,” he continued. “If she comes across as dislikeable, not treating the tribunal with the proper respect, or not being truthful, she should expect that it will hurt her case.”
Perry’s ‘High-Stakes’ Testimony
Los Angeles real estate lawyer and litigator Eileen Kendall, founder of Kendall Law, was quick to agree. She believes that Perry’s demeanor during her “high stakes” testimony will have a massive impact on the judge’s decision.
“Her testimony is high-stakes,” Kendall explained. “Generally, jury trials pose high reputational and financial risk; bench trials provide more control, predictability, and privacy. A non-jury trial puts the decision in the hands of a judge, not a panel of everyday jurors. That means less chance of emotion driving the outcome.”
“For Perry, that avoids the risk of jurors siding with the 85-year-old veteran simply out of sympathy,” she added. “It also saves time, money, and media drama. But without a jury, she loses the possibility that some jurors might be star-struck or hesitant to rule against a celebrity.”
Alice Jump, partner at Reavis Page Jump LLP, had another warning for Perry. Indeed, she believes that Perry’s celebrity “doesn’t seem to be an advantage” in her case against Westcott.
“She is testifying about actual damages, so it should be based on numbers, not glitz,” Jump stated. “If she starts talking about speculative damages or she seems to be overreaching or greedy, her testimony might actually hurt her case.”
Judge Shuts Perry Down
This comes after Perry suffered a setback in this case last week. Her lawyers attempted to move her testimony up and out of a scheduled order in the six-day trial. The judge, however, was not having any of it.
“That’s outrageous … that she’s only allowed to testify today,” the judge said. “It doesn’t reflect well on you, it doesn’t reflect well on Ms. Hudson. It’s not nice, it’s not right.”
Kathryn Hudson is Perry’s real name. Her attorneys have said that she prefers to go by that name during this case. They apologized to the judge for making this request, quickly backing down.
Westcott’s son Court Westcott spoke out last week to say that while the first day of the trial was difficult, he still has hope for his father.
“Emotionally, it was a draining day, but I’m also very optimistic and excited to finally get a chance to meet the person that has been absent for this trial,” he said. “We’re glad to have our day in court and we’re looking forward to justice for my father.”
Many feel that Perry has pushed this case against a “dying” elderly veteran way too far. Only time will tell how Perry’s testimony works out for her.