Russell Brand Rape Trial Opens; Prosecutors Call Him Predator

Prosecutors opened their rape and sexual assault case against Russell Brand on Wednesday in London. Brand has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

3 rape counts, 3 sexual assault counts and 1 indecent assault count.
6 women bring the allegations, covering 1999 to 2009.
Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones called Brand "ruthless" and "a sexual predator."
Ian Winter KC leads the defense. Mr Justice Bennathan presides.

Why it matters: Karmy-Jones told jurors the six women do not know each other and came forward independently. British law keeps their identities anonymous for life.

Alleged settings include a hotel room, workplaces, a bar toilet and Brand's home.
Prosecutors cited a former friend who said Brand aimed to sleep with 5,000 women.

The story so far

15 steps · since Oct 11

Oct 11
Oct 145:27 AMRussell Brand Rape Trial Opens; Prosecutors Call Him PredatorYou are here
Oct 145:33 AMBrand Trial: Accuser Alleges Rape in Hotel Room19 sources
Oct 17–27
Oct 2712:11 PMRussell Brand Denies All Charges in Rape Trial24 sources
Oct 29–Nov 3
Nov 59:17 AMRussell Brand Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault51 sources
Nov 5
Nov 510:21 AMRussell Brand Remanded in Custody After Rape Conviction5 sourcesLatest

How 19 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 19 sources

19 sources · 30 articles · 42% Left coverage

Center coverage, 7 sources: The center pairs the prosecution's allegations with procedural detail and Brand's denial and public statements.

Deadline1w+Russell Brand’s Accusers: Prosecutors Claim ‘Despicable Me’ Star Preyed On Women In TV Industry During “Frenzied” & “Wild-Eyed” Incidents CTV News1w+Prosecution labels actor a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his sex assault trial WPLG Local 101w+UK prosecution labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his sex assault trial BBC News1w+Russell Brand was a 'sexual predator', says prosecution as rape trial begins Scripps News1w+UK prosecution labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his sex assault trial USA Today1w+Russell Brand breaks silence on rape trial amid 'ruthless predator' claim WSB-TV Atlanta1w+Russell Brand trial: Prosecutor calls actor ‘ruthless’ and ‘sexual predator’

Left coverage, 8 sources: The left centers the prosecution's opening portrait of Brand as a ruthless and calculating predator.

The Independent1w+Russell Brand was a ‘manipulative’ predator with a ‘voracious’ sexual appetite, court told Variety1w+Russell Brand Rape Trial: He Was 'Ruthless and Calculated,' Prosecution Says CNN1w+UK prosecution labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his sex assault trial Hollywood Reporter1w+“Ruthless, Sexual Predator”: Russell Brand Rape Allegations Detailed as Prosecution Opens Case Los Angeles Times1w+Russell Brand's U.K. sexual assault trial begins: What to know NBC News1w+Prosecutor calls Russell Brand a ‘ruthless’ sexual predator at trial Rolling Stone1w+‘Ruthless and Calculated’: Opening Statements Begin in Russell Brand Rape Trial The Guardian1w+Russell Brand was ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator, court told

Right4 sources

Daily Mail1w+Six women Russell Brand is alleged to have preyed upon did not know each other, court hears The Sun1w+Who is Russell Brand’s wife Laura Gallacher?New York Post1w+Russell Brand admits he's 'concerned' at start of rape trial where he's accused of being 'ruthless sexual predator'One America News1w+UK prosecution labels Russell Brand a ruthless sexual predator at opening of his sex assault trial

What’s next: The jury of eight men and four women was sworn in Tuesday. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.

The judge excluded potential jurors who had seen a 2023 Channel 4 documentary about Brand.
Jurors were warned that researching Brand online is a criminal offense.
How will the defense answer the prosecution's account of the six allegations?
Will Brand testify in his own defense?