Springfield Case A Mistrial

A New York Supreme Court justice has declared a mistrial in a suit against Rick Springfield by a woman who claims he injured her during a concert in August 2004.

 

Justice Anthony Paris granted a mistrial Nov. 20 to give Springfield’s lawyer 90 days to investigate new claims that have emerged in the case and interview new witnesses. 

 

Springfield took the stand Nov. 19 to face allegations from Vicki Calcagno, who filed the suit in 2007. 

 

Calcagno’s complaint says she suffered a concussion and “serious, disabling and permanent injuries” when Springfield fell into the crowd during his concert at the New York State Fair. The suit also alleges Springfield was negligent by jumping on chairs and benches in the audience during his performance.

 

Springfield explained in court that he typically spends seven or eight minutes of his set in the crowd, according to Syracuse’s Post-Standard.

 

“It’s high-fiving and grabbing and hugging until I get back to the stage,” Springfield said. “Physical contact is very powerful and I love to engage the audience.”

 

But an attorney for Calcagno argued that something went wrong while Springfield engaged the audience during the concert, noting the artist slipped and fell backward into the woman, who was pushed to the ground, the paper said.

 

Calcagno didn’t realize how injured she was and stayed at the show, the attorney continued.

 

Two days later, the woman visited a doctor and reportedly complained of pain in her head, neck, left eye and foot, muscle spasms, loss of sleep and sensitivity to bright light. 

Springfield has said he has no memory of striking a fan during the show.