Why Russell Brand's lawyers wanted his Katy Perry marriage left out of trial

Live updates

1. 13m ago

   Lawyers block Katy Perry marriage mention from Russell Brand rape trial

   Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault, triggering public scrutiny of his 2012 marriage to Katy Perry. His lawyers successfully objected to prosecutors mentioning the marriage during opening arguments, arguing it was irrelevant to the charges and potentially prejudicial. The prosecution had sought to introduce the marriage as context for Brand's behavior, but a judge agreed to exclude it from the trial record.

   Why it matters

   The exclusion of Perry's marriage from the trial has intensified questions about media narratives surrounding Brand's relationships with high-profile women. Perry's past comments about their marriage, including claims of control, have resurfaced following Brand's conviction. The case has renewed focus on how the entertainment industry addressed allegations against Brand for years.

   What is confirmed

   • Russell Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault by a jury at Southwark Crown Court.
   • Russell Brand was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after being found guilty of raping one fan and sexually assaulting three women.
   • Katy Perry's marriage to Russell Brand was blocked from being mentioned in the prosecution's opening arguments in his rape and sexual assault trial.
   • Prosecutors had sought to introduce the marriage as context for Brand's behavior, but a judge agreed to exclude it from the trial record.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russell Brand is suspected to have attacked at least 10 other women beyond those for whom he was convicted.
   • During his trial, Brand admitted he could not persuade friends and former colleagues to testify on his behalf.

   What to watch next

   • Sentencing date for Brand's prison term
   • Potential appeals by Brand against his convictions
   • Further testimony or evidence about Perry's marriage and its relevance to the case
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. The New York Times — Russell Brand Is Found Guilty of Rape and Sexual Assault
   2. NPR — Russell Brand is convicted of rape, and judge says he'll get a prison term
   3. BBC — Katherine Ryan says she feels 'grief and relief' after Russell Brand conviction
   4. The Guardian — Russell Brand suspected to have attacked at least 10 other women
   5. The Atlantic — A Monster of His Time
   6. USA Today — Why Russell Brand's lawyers wanted his Katy Perry marriage left out of trial
   7. 10TV — Russell Brand's convictions renew spotlight on media — and a culture — that may have looked away
   8. ABC7 Los Angeles — Russell Brand's convictions for rape, sexual assault renew spotlight on media — and a culture — that may have looked away
   9. variety.com — Russell Brand’s Marriage to Katy Perry Blocked From Being ...
   10. www.yahoo.com — Katy Perry’s Past Comments and Resurfaced Clips Gain New Attention Following Russell Brand’s Conviction
   11. www.dailymail.com — Russell Brand sentencing live: Comedian winks at wife Laura Gallacher after rape and sexual assault victims tell court of their trauma
   12. www.dailymail.com — Russell Brand's inner circle of celebrity friends: From David Walliams to Jonathan Ross and Noel Fielding...and those who 'abandoned him' at rape trial
   confidence 85%