Prosecutors Omitted Katy Perry From Russell Brand Rape Trial After 2009 References Were Dropped
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Nov 6
Prosecutors Omitted Katy Perry From Russell Brand Rape Trial After 2009 References Were Dropped
3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Nov 6
Summary
Katy Perry was largely scrubbed from Russell Brand’s four-week rape trial, with prosecutors dropping planned opening references and never seeking a witness statement from her.
2009 was the key cutoff: the Crown said post-2009 material about Brand’s relationship with Perry was sensitive, and removed it after defense submissions before trial.
Russell Brand was convicted of 1 count of rape and 3 counts of sexual assault, including 2 offenses from 2009 — a year before he married Perry.
Brand mentioned Perry only once in evidence, telling jurors the relationship helped drive his “staggering fame”; the CPS said all reasonable lines of inquiry relevant to the charges were pursued.
Monday is Brand’s sentencing date after he was remanded in custody, with the judge warning of a custodial term and a UK rape conviction carrying a potential life sentence.