Trigger Warning: This article includes discussion of alleged sexual assault, with details.
Megyn Kelly says she does not believe the allegations against Russell Brand, even after his U.K. conviction. On November 5, a jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court found the 51-year-old comedian guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Megyn Kelly questions Russell Brand’s rape and sexual assault convictions
During the November 5 episode of SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly looked back on her past conversations with Brand. “I believe he dearly loves his wife Laura, his children, and, as I said, I think he has found God and he’s asked for forgiveness from a lifestyle that he completely rejects now,” she said.
“I was totally charmed by him — I’m not gonna lie — as I was when he came on my show at NBC,” she continued. “Utterly charming guy, sweet, interesting, funny, and I had a very difficult time believing that he was capable of rape, as I do right now.” She made her stance clear, saying, “I don’t believe these charges. I’m going to be honest. I don’t.”
Six women brought allegations against Brand. As previously reported, the allegations concerned incidents spanning 1999 to 2009. The jury, comprising eight men and four women, found him guilty of grabbing a woman’s breasts at a Soho party in 2004, sexually assaulting another woman at radio station Choice FM in 2004 or 2005, and raping a woman at his Hampstead home in 2009. The jury also found him guilty of sexually assaulting a fourth woman during a Channel 4 production in 2009.
Under U.K. law, courts can sentence people convicted of rape to life imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the offense. Sexual assault carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Brand will return to court on November 9, when the judge will announce his sentence.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
