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Updated 14h ago · Entertainment
Russell Brand Goes on Trial Over Rape Charges
Russell Brand went on trial Monday in London, accused of rape and sexual assault involving six women. He denies all charges.
- 3 counts of rape, 3 of sexual assault, 1 of indecent assault.
- 4 women's allegations date from 1999 to 2005; 2 more from 2009.
- 1 rape charge involves a Bournemouth hotel room during a Labour Party conference.
- 12 jurors will decide the case; Brand, 51, remains on bail.
Why it matters: The charges followed a Metropolitan Police investigation prompted by a 2023 Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation. Brand denied those allegations and called them coordinated media attacks.
- Brand rose through Channel 4, BBC Radio 2 and Hollywood films.
- He now podcasts from Florida, often criticizing governments and mainstream media.
How 18 sources split on this story
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Coverage by lean
18 sources · 34 articles · 39% Left coverage
Where they split: Coverage differs mainly in emphasis: some outlets revisit Brand's past controversies, while others focus on how the trial will run.
Center7 sources
Associated Press3dRussell Brand arrives at a London court for his trial on rape and sexual assault chargesBBC News3dRussell Brand arrives at court for start of rape trialCTV News2dRussell Brand appears in a London court for trial on rape and sexual assault chargesDeadline3dRussell Brand Rape Trial Gets Underway In LondonPBS NewsHour2dRussell Brand appears in London court for trial on rape and sexual assault chargesUSA Today2dRussell Brand rape trial begins as jury is selected in LondonWKBN Youngstown2dRussell Brand appears in London court for trial on rape and sexual assault charges
Left coverage, 7 sources: The left places the trial within Brand's long record of public controversy, from Sachsgate to his recent claims of media conspiracies.
CNN3dRussell Brand is on trial for rape and sexual assault. His career has been a catalog of controversyThe Independent15hRussell Brand trial latest: Comedian to face sex offence allegations as court case starts todayHollywood Reporter3dRussell Brand Arrives at London Court for Start of Rape TrialRolling Stone2dRussell Brand’s Rape Trial Begins With Jury SelectionThe Guardian1dJury sworn in for Russell Brand trial on rape and sexual assault chargesThe New York Times3dRussell Brand’s Rape and Sexual Assault Trial: What to KnowVariety3dRussell Brand's Rape Trial Starts in London
Right coverage, 4 sources: The right presents the trial as a major courtroom event and explains how English procedure and jury rules will shape it.
Daily Mail2dWhy were six would-be Russell Brand jurors ruled out in one go? Catch up on Day 1 of the case the world is watching with the Daily Mail's award-winning Trial podcastNew York Post1dRape trial to kick off against British actor Russell BrandCitizen Free Press2dRussell Brand rape trial begins.The Sun14hRussell Brand arrives at court for trial after being accused of raping and sexually assaulting six women over ten years
What’s next: Jury selection began Monday. Opening arguments are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.
- Estimates of the trial's length range from six weeks to 10 weeks.
- Mr. Justice Bennathan presides; Riel Karmy-Jones prosecutes and Ian Winter leads the defense.
- How will Brand's defense respond to allegations spanning a decade?
- Will the trial affect Brand's online audience and business?
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