Tense Testimony at Russell Brand Trial, Trump Cancels Ft. Hood Execution Livestream: AM Update 10/16

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Emily Jashinsky (0:37)

Good morning, everyone. I'm Emily Dushinsky, host of After Party and The Megyn Kelly Wrap-Up Show on SiriusXM Channel 111 It's Friday, October 16th, 2026 This is your AM Update.

Sachelle Conner (0:47)

As soon as the cross-examination began, Russell Brand looked straight ahead through the glass of the dock.

Emily Jashinsky (0:52)

Tense moments inside a London courtroom as a woman using Russell Brand of rape takes the stand and faces questions from his defense attorney.

James Talarico (1:01)

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Emily Jashinsky (1:08)

James Talarico back on the campaign trail in Texas bolstered by a record-breaking fundraising effort. President Trump reversing course on plans to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood mass shooter, following overwhelming public opposition to the broadcast. And new details emerging about the man mauled to death by a tiger at a wildlife park in England, including revelations about his mental health history and the circumstances leading up to the deadly attack.

All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update.

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Emily Jashinsky (2:56)

Emotional testimony and heated exchanges inside a London courtroom yesterday, as a woman accusing him of rape more than 25 years ago, testifies in the trial of actor and comedian Russell Brand. The 51-year-old on trial at London's Southwark Crown Court, facing seven criminal charges involving six women, including three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. The allegations dating from 1999 to 2009, during Brand's rise from stand-up comedian to Hollywood celebrity.

Brand pleading not guilty to all charges, maintaining that he has never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. Prosecutors opening their case Wednesday by portraying Brand as a ruthless and manipulative sexual predator, who used his growing fame to exploit women.

Yesterday's testimony focusing on a woman who alleges Brand raped her in a hotel room in 1999 after they met at a political conference. According to the BBC's courtroom reporting, the woman telling jurors she initially believed Brand was gay, describing him as friendly, soft-spoken and effeminate. She said she felt comfortable spending time alone with him until his behavior suddenly changed inside her hotel room. The woman recalling that Brand emerged from the bathroom wearing only his underwear, began dancing around the room and demanded that she take photographs of him without a shirt. Those photographs later shown to the jury. The woman describing Brand as frightening and aggressive, telling jurors he went from friendly to monster-like before allegedly raping her. Jurors also watching a police interview recorded in 2023, in which the woman described the alleged assault and her confusion afterward. Brand watching the recording from the defendant's area of the courtroom, remaining largely motionless as the woman recounted her experience. The woman telling jurors she cried after Brand left and feared she might be pregnant. She said she blamed herself for what happened and initially stayed silent because she feared the allegations would damage her career.