Russell Brand took his place in the dock on Wednesday, as the prosecution began making its case against the Forgetting Sarah Marshall star in a rape trial that will stretch into December.
Brand walked into London’s Southwark Crown Court in a black pinstripe suit, buttoned-down shirt, and white tie, knowing today would be the first full day of evidence after a jury was sworn in on Tuesday. He was again accompanied by his wife, Laura.
Brand faces seven charges, encompassing three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one of indecent assault. The charges pertain to allegations made by six women, spanning a decade from 1999 to 2009. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Riel Karmy-Jones KC is the barrister leading the argument for the prosecution, while Brand’s defense barrister is Ian Winter KC.
The jury members, comprising eight men and four women, took their place in Courtroom 3 of Southwark Crown Court for the first time. Judge Mr Justice Bennathan whittled down a list of 50 individuals to swear in the 12-strong jury.
The judge dismissed people who had watched the 2023 Channel 4 documentary, Russell Brand: In Plain Sight, or read the investigation in The Times of London or The Sunday Times. He also asked prospective jury members to leave if they had worked for MTV, Channel 4, or Capital Radio.
During a hearing on Monday, he said those individuals selected to serve on the jury “absolutely cannot carry out any research about Russell Brand,” including Googling the comedian or searching for him on social media. He warned that this could prejudice the trial and was a criminal offense.
Brand acted in Despicable Me and Get Him to the Greek. Before his work in Hollywood, he was a regular fixture on British television and radio, hosting Big Brother’s Big Mouth and a Radio 2 show.
The actor and comedian, who was married to Katy Perry, has reinvented himself as a Christian convert who evangelizes about free speech and free thinking in MAGA America.
Brand has continued posting on streaming and posting on his social media channels during the legal proceedings. He spoke of feeling God’s presence as he entered the court building. “Today, I feel blessed. I feel, of course, concerned but hopeful that this process will lead to good outcomes for everybody involved,” he told Sky News on Wednesday. “That’s my prayer.”