The Katy Perry connection to the Russell Brand trial is officially a courtroom footnote, and the internet is treating it like the whole headline. Prosecutors intended to mention Brand’s 14-month marriage to Perry in their opening statements, but his legal team argued the relationship was irrelevant and the reference was pulled, according to the Telegraph. References to Brand’s religious practices and past drinking and drug problems were also barred from openings.
Brand, 51, was convicted Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, and the judge has promised a significant prison term. Perry, 42, was never asked to give a witness statement and has not commented on the case.
What keeps resurfacing online is Perry’s 2013 remark that she learned the“real truth”about how her marriage ended and keeps it“locked in my safe for a rainy day.”That line has taken on a second life now that the case is front-page news again. Do you think courts should be able to bar personal relationships from being mentioned during trials?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.