Ex-partner of Hollywood actor Jason Hoganson who was back behind bars 48 hours after being freed under Keir Starmer's early release scheme dies on day he was due to stand trial for assaulting her
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The former partner of a Hollywood actor has died on the day he was due to stand trial for assaulting her. Jason Hoganson was jailed in August for attacking his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Usher, in the street and breaching a restraining order. The 53-year-old, who was the leading man in the cult 1980's film Empire state, was freed from HMP Durham 19 days later, under Starmer's measures to tackle overcrowding.
![[Jason Hoganson pictured at the time of his appearance in 1987 movie Empire State]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/08/30000206-14209005-Jason_Hoganson_at_the_time_of_his_appearance_in_1987_film_Empire-a-2_1734595991646.jpg)
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.
![[Hoganson struggled with his early success after starring in Empire State, and his life descended into crime and addictions]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/08/59572665-14209005-Hoganson_struggled_with_his_early_success_after_starring_in_Empi-a-3_1734595994637.jpg)
He was then accused of assaulting her by slapping her cheek at her home the day after his prison release. Hoganson, of no fixed abode but from Newcastle, denied two counts of breaching a restraining order and one of assault by beating and he was remanded in custody until his trial on October 30.
![[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]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/08/89488759-14209005-Jason_Hoganson_with_his_face_crisscrossed_with_angry_scars_and_h-a-8_1734596029446.jpg)
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.
![[The 53-year-old actor seen outside HM Prison Durham on September 10]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/08/89488753-14209005-The_53_year_old_actor_seen_outside_HM_Prison_Durham_on_September-a-4_1734595998944.jpg)
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. On Wednesday this week, the case was listed back at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to determine whether the trial would go ahead in Ms Usher's absence. Jonathan Stirland, prosecuting, said: 'The matter was listed for trial and, on the day of trial, the Crown got news that the victim had sadly passed away.
![[Former actor Jason Hoganson and star of the film Empire State is now living on the streets and self-harming after battling drug addiction]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/08/93304679-14209005-image-a-24_1734597131203.jpg)
