Embattled Oscar-successful director Paul Haggis turned into painted by means of prosecutors as a serial predator who used his energy to "manipulate" inclined young girls.
Haggis' sexual assault trial obtained underway at a brand new York metropolis courthouse this morning. The filmmaker looked in court alongside his protection attorneys in a black swimsuit and grey tie as opening statements began shortly after 10 a.m.
Attorneys for Haleigh Breest, the previous publicist suing Haggis for allegedly raping her in 2013, opened the trial through framing the Canadian film mogul as a "potent" and manipulative" serial predator who "doesn't stop when women say no."
"Mr. Haggis used his storytelling capabilities and his fame to prey on, to control, and to assault prone younger women in the film trade," Breest's legal professional Zoe Salzman instructed the courtroom. "a kind of ladies turned into Haleigh Breest."
Haggis, sixty nine, is accused of sexually assaulting Breest at his SoHo loft following a movie most efficient in ny in 2013. She become 26 at the time. Breest sued Haggis in 2017 after the Million greenback baby author penned an op-ed within the Guardian disavowing convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein. four different girls have also come ahead alleging Haggis raped them after Breest filed her swimsuit.
Haggis has lengthy maintained the incident involving Breest turned into consensual. His prison group is arguing that the court case is a part of the Church of Scientology's efforts to smear Haggis' name after he very publicly defected from the church in 2009 in a scathing letter to Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis.
Paul Haggis is viewed in court docket.
Dorian Geiger
Haggis' lead attorney Priya Chaudhry, who described the Church as a "world-famous crook corporation," moved instantly to name Breest's credibility into query on Wednesday morning.
"We don't ought to affirmatively prove that Scientology is in the back of this as a result of we don't have the burden of proof here," Chaudhry told the jury. "however as you will see, the circumstantial evidence of Scientology's involvement right here could be effective."
"on the other hand, don't allow them to flip this trial topsy turvy. Don't let them indicate to you that if we are able to't prove that Scientology is behind this, that Haleigh Breest may still win. Haleigh Breest can only win in case you accept as true with her," she noted.
Following both teams' opening statements, the primary of 4 Jane Does who are accusing Haggis of rape testified.
The lady, who became 28 on the time, and who hasn't been recognized via The daily Beast, testified how she first met Haggis while working as a publicist on the set of CBS' Canadian crime drama Due South in 1996. She recalled in lurid element how Haggis allegedly pushed her up against a wall and forcibly kissed her following a late-evening assembly in her boss' on-set office.
"He grabbed me via the arm and commenced kissing me, which become very shocking," she pointed out. "I simply couldn't consider that it was occurring. There's no indication that i was within the place that i'd reciprocate, like there became no cause of him to think this became appropriate. I just iced over. In hindsight, I hope i'd have just run out of there, however I didn't."
The girl stated when she resisted, Haggis grew to become indignant and threatened her career.
"Do you definitely wish to retain working? Do you are looking to retain your job?" Haggis allegedly asked her throughout the course of the suspected assault.
"That terrified me," she talked about.
The lady mentioned Haggis later raped her on the ground. She cited that Haggis changed into the "most essential person" on the television reveal.
"He became very creepy," she observed of Haggis' demeanor. "It become like an assault mode is what it felt want to me."
ultimate month, decide Sabrina Kraus dominated Haggis may argue that the Church of Scientology became behind bankrolling the case in opposition t him. Breest's team had previously filed a action requesting the court disallow Haggis from offering the protection, arguing it constituted nothing more than "speculative myth." Breest herself has referred to she has no affiliation with the Church of Scientology.
"The jury is entitled to be suggested of any feasible rationale Plaintiff can also have and in regards to the Church's efforts to discredit Haggis," Kraus wrote in courtroom files obtained via The daily Beast. "Haggis should still have the option to current proof which will reveal that The Church became, in reality, looking for to embroil Haggis in ruinous, false allegations related to ladies in advance of Breest's allegations here."
Paul Haggis, winner of foremost photograph and ultimate common Screenplay Oscars for Crash.
Toni Anne Barson Archive
Breest's attorneys, meanwhile, prior to now scoffed on the suggestion their customer changed into by hook or by crook actively embroiled in a conspiracy on behalf of the church to damage Haggis. legal professional Ilann M. Maazel described Haggis' method as a sham protection designed to distract the jury.
"There is no Scientology protection—it's a cynical manipulative baseless conspiracy conception," Maazel informed The day by day Beast right through a telephone interview. "I believe it might be clear by the end of trial. [It's] a sideshow. It has nothing to do with anything. We're going to be concentrated on evidence and Haggis' behavior and the jury is going to listen to from a few ladies who will testify beneath oath about Paul Haggis."
Breest's psychotherapist, Catherine Baker-Pitts, additionally testified Wednesday afternoon telling the court docket Breest first disclosed the sexual assault allegations all the way through a June 2017 counseling session, months earlier than submitting her lawsuit towards Haggis. She observed Breest had at the beginning framed the allegations as involving a "adult within the movie trade," earlier than later choosing Haggis as her assailant.
Baker-Pitts testified that Breest's account of Haggis alleged rape on the Hollywood screenwriter became "clear" and "specified."
"She certainly not wavered that the rape had took place — it turned into just a truth," Baker-Pitts advised the court.
The inner most psychotherapist, who handled Breest between June 2017 and July 2019, pointed out she'd completed approximately sixty five counseling periods with Breest. Baker-Pitts talked about the lasting trauma Breest persevered, which she attributed to the the alleged sexual assault involving Haggis.
Breest, she noted, lived in a state of "persistent stress" and changed into perpetually "on-edge" following her encounter with Haggis. Breest, who misplaced her publicist job in 2017 after bringing forth the allegations Haggis, later grew to become to alcohol to quell her anxiousness issues and help her sleep, Baker-Pitts testified. She "dreaded" leaving her domestic, and peculiarly prevented long island's SoHo neighborhood, out of concern she may also run into Haggis.
Baker-Pitts mentioned Breest, who became susceptible to self-overlook, remoted herself from family and social circles, which she described as a "total detachment." She subsequently clinically determined Breest with nervousness order.
"She has an extended road ahead," Pitts-Baker said.
As court adjourned for the day, Haggis declined to communicate with journalists.
"I'm no longer going to give any feedback, thank you," Haggis instructed the each day Beast as he exited the courtroom.
In June, Haggis became arrested and positioned below house arrest in Italy while attending the Allora movie competition for separate allegations of sexual assault involving a British girl, who claimed she became raped "for days" by using the Canadian filmmaker.
"I think it can be effective testimony," Maazel introduced. "I'm looking forward to the jury to hear the evidence in spite of everything these years… I'm anticipating the case starting and on the end of the day it's going to be in the hands of the jury."
Breest will testify Thursday, according to her lawyers.
"this is a #MeToo case—accountability here is truly vital," Maazel pointed out. "It may also be very difficult for girls to arise for themselves and communicate out in cases like this. but I'm proud of Haleigh. i like her and that i feel what she's doing is complicated."
Roughly 20 witnesses are expected to testify on Haggis' behalf—together with possible former widespread Scientologists—although, precisely who is still shrouded in secret.
The defense published on Wednesday, youngsters, that superstar Scientology whistleblower Mike Rinder will testify on Haggis' behalf.
Mike Rinder (L) and actress Leah Remini (R).
Paul Archuleta
Rinder co-hosted A&E's series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath alongside fellow ex-Scientologist Leah Remini, who has also up to now come out in assist of Haggis' assertion that the church may be answerable for manufacturing the sexual assault case towards him.
"We predict the next 'revelations' about Paul Haggis in this crusade to smash him to be based on suggestions culled from his Scientology files in the kind of extra 'anonymous' accusers, hiding at the back of a legal professional who will on no account need to divulge who's paying their invoice," Remini and Rinder in the past said in an announcement.
Haggis' case is playing out as actor Danny Masterson, an extra in demand superstar Scientologist, faces trial in la on three criminal rape charges. Masterson's accusers filed a separate civil swimsuit arguing that the Church intimidated and stalked them after the encounters had been reported to legislations enforcement. Former movie wealthy person Harvey Weinstein is fighting his own rape fees down the hall from Masterson this week.
Danny Masterson is arraigned on rape prices on September 18, 2020 in los angeles.
LUCY NICHOLSON
The Church of Scientology has denied Haggis' allegations towards the church in the civil swimsuit. They denied Breest changed into ever a member of the controversial faith.
"The Church has nothing to do with the claims in opposition t Haggis nor does it have any relation to the attorneys behind the case of the accusers," Karin Pouw, a spokesperson for the Church, advised The every day Beast in an announcement. "The Church has nothing to do with the claims in opposition t Haggis nor does it have any relation to his accusers."
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