Neil Oliver, Megyn Kelly Back Russell Brand After 4-Count Sex Crime Conviction

Q: Will the ongoing police review of additional allegations lead to further trials for the convicted comedian?

Possibly, but no further trial is guaranteed yet. The Metropolitan Police investigation is still active, and senior officers have confirmed they are examining two additional rape allegations from two other women. Reports say detectives have already questioned Russell Brand about those complaints, and police are reviewing further intelligence that could involve more alleged victims. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy have both said they would not be surprised if more women come forward after the conviction. Whether that leads to new trials depends on the usual legal threshold: police must gather enough evidence, prosecutors must decide there is a realistic prospect of conviction and that charges are in the public interest, and a court process would then follow. At present, there is no public confirmation that new charges have been authorized. The signs point to a real possibility of further proceedings. Reporting indicates files have been sent to specialist rape prosecutors or are being discussed with them, and some sources say police fear the number of additional potential victims could reach double figures. But historical sexual-offence cases are often complex, especially where allegations are decades old and lack forensic or CCTV evidence. So the police review could lead to further trials, and investigators appear to be preparing for that possibility, but it remains too early to say that new prosecutions are certain.

3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Nov 8

Neil Oliver and Megyn Kelly publicly backed Russell Brand after he was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, with sentencing due Monday.
Kelly said on her show that she did not believe the charges and described Brand as "an utterly charming guy," while Oliver reposted an old photo with the caption: "Still is."
Brand had no character witnesses at trial beyond his wife, Laura Gallacher, who told the court he is a caring husband and father and said he had changed since their earlier relationship.
Jurors heard Brand treated women as "disposable" in attacks between 2004 and 2009, and the judge said he faces a custodial sentence of some length.