Prosecution: Russell Brand Saw Consent as 'Obstacle to Remove'

Closing arguments in Russell Brand's rape trial concluded Friday, with prosecutors asserting the comedian treated consent as "an obstacle to remove or ignore." The prosecution argued that the six accusers, who do not know each other, came forward "bravely" with "nothing to gain" and were not influenced by media coverage, but rather by realizing they were not alone in their experiences.

Earlier in the week, Brand testified, admitting to a "very promiscuous" life and having "misused" his fame to "facilitate" sexual activity, though he maintained consensual encounters were later "unfavourably reframed." His wife, Laura Brand, testified in his defense, calling him a "kind and wonderful father" and "amazing husband," while acknowledging a past split due to his promiscuity. The defense also sought to counter the prosecution's narrative that a Channel 4 exposé had influenced accusers' memories, with the court hearing that the film was not a "magic force" causing accusers to "recast" their recollections. A judge also dismissed one indecent assault charge, replacing it with a count of attempted indecent assault due to insufficient evidence.

18 stories · 5 sources

Sources

  1. Russell Brand trial: accusers have ‘nothing to gain’ and were not led by media, court told — The Guardian World,
  2. Russell Brand accusers 'haunted' for years by alleged crimes, court hears — BBC Entertainment & Arts,
  3. Russell Brand Trial: Prosecution Weaponizes “Amusement Park Of Orgasms” Quote Star Used In Wendy Williams Interview — Deadline,
  4. Russell Brand Treated Consent as “an Obstacle to Remove or Ignore,” Prosecution Tells Jury in Rape Trial’s Closing Arguments — The Hollywood Reporter,
  5. Russell Brand’s Defense in Rape Trial Is ‘A Lot of Half-Truths, but Spun Into Lies,’ Prosecution Claims in Closing Argument — Variety,
  6. Russell Brand Rape Trial: Channel 4 Film Was Not “Magic Force” That Caused Accusers To “Recast” Memories, Court Hears In Closing Arguments — Deadline,
  7. Russell Brand’s wife tells court he is ‘amazingly attentive husband’ — The Guardian World,
  8. Russell Brand’s Wife Gives Evidence in Rape Trial: “Caring and Kind, Wonderful Father” — The Hollywood Reporter,
  9. Russell Brand's wife tells his rape trial he is 'kind and a wonderful father' — BBC Entertainment & Arts,
  10. Russell Brand’s Wife Calls Him an ‘Amazing Husband’ at Rape Trial: ‘I Feel Very Seen by Him’ — Variety,
  11. Russell Brand’s Wife Says Star Was “Caring” Lover At Time Of Rape Allegations — Deadline,
  12. Russell Brand tells trial it was wrong to use fame to ‘facilitate’ sex with women — The Guardian World,
  13. Prosecution Rejects Russell Brand’s Claim He Has Been Abandoned: “You Have A Platform Of Millions” — Deadline,
  14. Russell Brand Trial: Star Takes the Stand and Tells Court No One Will Touch Him “With a Bargepole” — The Hollywood Reporter,
  15. Russell Brand gives evidence in rape and sexual assault trial – latest updates — The Guardian World,
  16. Russell Brand tells court allegations had devastating impact on him — BBC Entertainment & Arts,
  17. Russell Brand Takes the Stand in Rape Trial and Reveals No One Agreed to Testify on His Behalf: ‘My Entire Life Has Been Consumed by These Allegations’ — Variety,
  18. Russell Brand Forcefully Denies Charges As He Gives Evidence During Rape Trial — Deadline,
#russell-brand #rape-trial #prosecution

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