A judge Tuesday denied a motion for an expedited trial of a lawsuit brought by a woman who alleges she was injured while trying to calm a dispute between the adopted son of Marvin Gaye and his wife at his home in 2023.
The woman identifies herself only as Jane Doe in the Van Nuys Superior Court lawsuit brought against Marvin Gaye III that alleges assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, false imprisonment, harassment and trespass to property. Trial is set for Jan. 25, 2027.
On Tuesday, Judge Wendy L. Wilcox denied a bid for an accelerated trial date brought by Doe. In asking for an expedited trial, Doe’s attorney, Gil Arbel, cited not his client’s health, but that of Gaye, noting that he had two strokes in September.
“While plaintiff is sympathetic to defendant’s health struggles, this disclosure underscores the urgent need to preserve testimony and expedite proceedings,” Arbel contended in his pleadings.
Should Gaye’s health get worse, Doe would be “irreparably prejudiced,” according to Arbel’s court papers.
But according to Gaye attorney John Oh’s pleadings, Gaye is “not terminal” and therefore Doe should not be given a stepped up trial date. Gaye, 60, has had multiple strokes and has been disabled for many years, according to Oh.
“Plaintiff’s motion must fail because she failed to provide clear and convincing evidence that there is substantial medical doubt that defendant will not survive beyond six months,” according to Oh’s court papers.
According to the suit, Doe was called to Gaye’s home on Jan. 12, 2023, to mediate a dispute between Gaye and his now former wife, Wendy Gaye.
“Plaintiff’s intent was solely to assist in (defusing) the situation,” the suit filed in December 2024 states.
But when Doe arrived, events escalated violently and Gaye III allegedly pointed a gun at Doe and Wendy Gaye and threatened their lives, the suit states.
Doe fled “in fear for her life” and on subsequent days Gaye III cut the brakes on her car and had people observe her home, the latter of which prompted Doe’s son to relocate in fear for his safety, according to the suit.
Gaye also showed up without permission at a Father’s Day event in 2022, worsening Doe’s emotional trauma and fear, the suit further alleges.
Doe has suffered severe emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks and insomnia, the suit states. She also has incurred medical expenses and involuntarily lost up to 30 pounds, according to the suit.
Doe also says she needs security for family events and lives in constant fear for herself and her family.
Gaye III was adopted by Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy shortly after his birth in November 1965. Marvin Gaye was a legendary soul singer who was shot and killed by his father at age 44 at their Los Angeles home in April 1984.