Russell Brand Rape Trial Jury Begins Deliberations at Southwark Crown Court

The jury of eight men and four women at Southwark Crown Court in London just started deliberations in the Russell Brand rape trial. The fifty-one-year-old media personality faces seven charges involving six women spanning a decade from nineteen-ninety-nine to two-thousand-and-nine. One charge of attempted indecent assault was reduced from indecent assault during the three-week trial. Brand pleaded not guilty to all counts, including three of rape and three of sexual assault. He admitted using his fame to facilitate sexual access in the past, but denied any criminal behavior. Prosecutors argued he treated women as a disposable commodity who did not matter. His defense team claimed the women did not report incidents to police at the time. One outlet notes the defense also argued a twenty-twenty-three media investigation poisoned the well of justice. Judge Mr Justice Bennathan told jurors they must reach unanimous verdicts on every charge.