The former partner of a Hollywood actor has died on the day he was due to stand trial for an alleged assault.
Jason Hoganson was jailed in August for attacking his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Usher, in the street and breaching a restraining order.
The actor, aged 53, known for his role in the popular 1980’s movie Empire State, was released from HMP Durham 19 days later as part of Starmer’s efforts to address prison overcrowding.
But he was rearrested just 48 hours later on two counts of allegedly breaching a restraining order and one count of assault.
Prosecutors said that Hoganson was suspected of sending Ms Usher two letters while he was behind bars in August and on September 3.
He was then accused of assaulting her by slapping her cheek at her home the day after his prison release.
Hoganson, originally from Newcastle and without a permanent address, pleaded not guilty to two charges of violating a restraining order and one count of assault by beating. He was held in custody until his trial scheduled for October 30.
However, on the day the trial was due to start, prosecutors received the tragic news that Ms Usher had died due to reasons unrelated to Hoganson.
Jason Hoganson was jailed in August for attacking his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Usher, in the street and breaching a restraining order
Jason Hoganson pictured at the time of his appearance in 1987 movie Empire State
Hoganson struggled with his early success after starring in Empire State, and his life descended into crime and addictions
This week on Wednesday, the case returned to Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to decide if the trial would proceed in the absence of Ms. Usher. Jonathan Stirland, the prosecutor, reported: ‘The trial was set to begin, but on the day, we received the unfortunate news that the victim had passed away.’
‘However, the Crown indicated that they were still minded to continue with the prosecution. That meant that the Crown had to get a death certificate and, I understand, an interim death certificate has been given to the court and the defence.’
Mr Sirland said Ms Usher’s statements would be used in evidence, however, Mark Styles, defending, said the trial shouldn’t go ahead as Ms Usher couldn’t be cross-examined in person and he had letters she’d written to Hoganson, which ‘undermined her credibility as a witness’.
District Judge Paul Currer decided that the trial should still go ahead in Ms Usher’s absence. He added: ‘It’s in the interest of justice for the trial to go head – it’s allegations of a serious breaches of a restraining order and an offence of battery.’
Hoganson was remanded in custody to next appear for his trial at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on January 24 next year.
Originally from Wallsend, Hoganson – who now has 109 convictions on his record – struggled with his movie career and fell into a life of drink, drugs and crime.
Hoganson had a leading role in the 1988 Hollywood movie Empire State, alongside Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman and US star Martin Landau.
Jason Hoganson, with his face crisscrossed with angry scars and his head covered in distinctive tattoos, gave a jubilant thumbs up to the camera as he left prison
The 53-year-old actor seen outside HM Prison Durham on September 10
Former actor Jason Hoganson and star of the film Empire State is now living on the streets and self-harming after battling drug addiction
Police have struggled to find him after he allegedly breached his licence conditions and evaded the force that is hunting for the actor to put him back behind bars
Playing an enigmatic Geordie drifter living among mobsters in London, Hoganson had been talent-scouted by producers who contacted his drama teacher looking for a youth to play the part in the 1987 movie.
Newcastle Crown Court previously heard Hoganson was caught on doorbell video camera when he attacked his former partner in Newcastle on December 11 last year.
Prosecutor Amy Levitt said he already had a restraining order to keep him away from the woman when he attacked her.
Miss Levitt told the court at the time: ‘Footage shows the defendant assaulting the complainant. He slaps her to the face and she walks away. He walks after her.
‘There are further hits and a push, where she falls to the floor. The assault continues while she’s lying on the floor.
‘She describes him, having pushed her, hit her, kicked her and put his body weight on her. The assault lasted around three minutes.’
