Paul Haggis Takes Witness Stand In Sexual Assault Trial: “For Five Years I’ve Been Unable To Clear My Name”
deadline.comPaul Haggis took the witness stand today in his Manhattan trial for sexual assault, and the Oscar-winning Crash filmmaker and former Church of Scientology member’s first words when asked by his lawyer Priya Chaudhry how it felt to be testifying were: “I’m incredibly nervous, of course, and I’m very happy.
Because for five years I’ve been unable to clear my name.” Prosecution lawyer Ilann Maazel immediately objected, arguing that Haggis statement was irrelevant, but was overruled Judge Sabrina Kraus.
The 11th day of testimony in the civil suit brought by Haleigh Breest began with Haggis’ ex-wife and fellow ex-Scientologist Deborah Rennard, who told the court he never was violent with her and never forced sex on her. “I know of no reputation with him regarding women,” Rennard testified. “He had great relationships with women.
I never heard of anything negative.” On cross-examination, Rennard said she didn’t know the substance of the allegations from Breest and the other accusers and didn’t know that he told some of these women intimate details about his married sex life.
Read more on deadline.com
