I hope my ex isn’t here. He should be in jail!
Katy Perry told concertgoers in England last July, a remark that drew renewed attention following her ex-husband’s criminal trial.
Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after a London jury convicted him of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, tmz.com reported. The verdict at Southwark Crown Court prompted a widespread resurgence of archival clips, interviews, and public comments concerning his brief marriage to the pop star.
The 51-year-old comedian and actor had pleaded not guilty to all seven charges against him and denied engaging in nonconsensual sexual activity. Senior prosecutor David Roberts stated that Brand used his celebrity status to commit sexual crimes
and thanked the women for coming forward.
Katy Perry Called Russell Brand 'Very Controlling' Years Before His Conviction https://t.co/Et0NFBzzhj
Following the verdict, social media users re-examined a 2010 red carpet interview in which Katy Perry corrected Brand after he pretended to have watched the Oscars. In the footage, Brand instructed Perry not to swear and displayed a small badge bearing the word Obey,
an interaction that Yahoo Lifestyle Canada noted viewers have reinterpreted in light of the criminal conviction.
Social media users linked the item to a clothing line created by street artist Shepard Fairey, interpreting the gesture as Brand asserting control over the singer in public.
Years after their split, Katy Perry called Brand very controlling
during a 2013 interview with Vogue. She stated that he disliked her holding a leadership role while touring and admitted she initially blamed herself for the breakdown of the marriage until discovering what she described as the real truth.
During the legal proceedings, prosecutors agreed to omit references to Katy Perry from their opening statements after defense objections, according to USA Today. Details of the decision became public after reporting restrictions were lifted following the conclusion of the trial on November 5.
Lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC wrote in pretrial submissions that matters post-2009 involving the marriage might prove sensitive, stating, For the avoidance of doubt, the prosecution recognise that matters post 2009 involving his relationship with Katy Perry may be sensitive, as may his previous faiths, and we are content to remove these from the opening.
Brand also mentioned their marriage while testifying, telling jurors the relationship brought him staggering fame.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Perry was not asked to provide a witness statement during the investigation. Senior prosecutor David Roberts stated that authorities pursued all reasonable lines of inquiry relevant to the charges brought by four women involving incidents between 2004 and 2009.
Russell Brand held up a one-word sign to Katy Perry on the red carpet, and years later she called him controlling.https://t.co/QKzzszKgHB
Police have also disclosed that Brand remains under investigation for two additional alleged rapes, including one involving a 16-year-old schoolgirl, as authorities indicate further victims may come forward.
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