Russell Brand received a legal reprieve after a judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support one of the charges against him. However, Brand still faces legal trouble. The jury will consider the revised charge and six other counts.
Russell Brand’s indecent assault charge faces reclassification
According to TMZ, the judge directed jurors to return a “not guilty” verdict on one of the charges against Russell Brand. The indecent assault charge stemmed from an alleged 2001 incident involving a woman who worked at MTV. The woman had accused Brand of grabbing her and trying to drag her into a bathroom. The judge concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the indecent assault charge. The judge therefore directed the jury to return a “not guilty” verdict.
He told the court, “In respect of count 2, I have reached the decision there is insufficient evidence of indecent assault. That is my decision, not yours. You will be directed to return a not guilty verdict in count two.”
However, Brand still faces an attempted indecent assault charge arising from the same alleged incident. The charge has been revised to attempted indecent assault, which the jury will consider during deliberations. Brand has pleaded not guilty to the revised charge and all other charges against him.
The ongoing trial has unearthed a list of claims from Brand’s past, with women testifying against him with allegations of sexual assault. On Monday, the sister of a woman who accused Brand of sexual assault testified about the alleged incident. The sister testified that the woman had told her Brand allegedly forced her to perform oral sex. The sister testified that the alleged victim had described Brand’s eyes as “completely blank,” as though he had become possessed.
The comedian continues to face seven charges involving six women. These include three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted indecent assault. The alleged offences date from 1999 to 2009. He denies all the charges.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
