A verdict has been handed down in the U.K.-based sexual assault trial againstKevin Spacey.
On Wednesday, theHouse of Cardsalum was found not guilty of nine counts of alleged sexual assault in London’s Southwark Crown Court. Other initial charges were struck out, according toBBC News.
Spacey spent the last month ontrialfor the charges of alleged sexual assault, including but not limited to allegedly groping and forcing penetrative sex on four men in London between 2001 and 2013. He initially faced 12 charges of sexual assault.
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“I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security and all those who took care of us every single day, my legal team, Evan Lowenstein and Lucy for being here every day.”
Spacey adamantly denied all allegations ahead of the trial andpleaded not guiltyto all 12 counts against him. “While I am disappointed with [the Crown Prosecution Service’s] decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the U.K. as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence,” Spacey said onGood Morning Americawhen the charges were announced publicly.
Kevin Spacey gave evidence during his trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court.Alamy
Alamy
The complainant alleged on one occasion that Spacey grabbed his crotch so hard while he was driving him to an industry party in the early 2000s that he almost drove off the road, according toBBC News.
Denying the incident ever happened, however, Spacey said he was “not on a suicide mission” during the time the alleged incident took place, per BBC News. He denied ever assaulting the complainant and told the jury that touching him was “in my mind romantic.”
Elton Johnand his husbandDavid Furnishalso testified during the trial and were questioned about the claim, which the complainant alleges happened as he drove Spacey to the “White Tie and Tiara Ball” at John’s Windsor house in 2004 or 2005, according to theAssociated Press.
The"Candle in the Wind"songwriter, 76, said that Spacey had arrived at the charity ball, which raised funds for theElton John AIDS Foundation, via private jet and he had stayed over at his home following the party. He also confirmed Spacey bought a Mini Cooper during an auction at the ball and stored it at his home. According toThe Guardian, John was asked if he remembered Spacey coming to collect the Mini Cooper to which he responded, “I can’t remember him coming down after that, no.”
Spacey had denied all of the 12 charges against him.Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Furnish, 60, said Spacey had only attended the ball once — which Spacey himself testified happened in 2001, according to AP.
The possibility of the actor attending the ball on more than one occasion has formed part of the evidence at the trial, perThe Guardian.
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Speaking in the witness box, Spacey said what the complainant says he did to him was “madness” because “it never happened.”
He continued, perBBC News: “I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him, and wouldn’t. And never have to anyone in my life.”
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The alleged victims described Spacey as “slippery,” “disgusting” and a “vile sexual predator.”
Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Jason Merritt/Getty
This wasn’t Spacey’s first trial for alleged sexual assault. The actor faced a civil suit in a U.S. court when he was accused of molesting actorAnthony Rappin 1986.
Rapp’s allegation statedSpacey forced himselfon the then-14-year-old at a party and pinned him to a bed. However, the jurydid not find adequate evidenceto prove that Spacey had molested Rapp, now 51.
During his trial in London, Spacey said his “world exploded” when allegations were first brought against him in the U.S. “I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days,” he said. He also said, with some exceptions, that he hasn’t been able to work for the last five to six years.
Rapp was the first to bring allegations against Spacey during the#MeToo movement. Spacey responded with a tweet in which he officiallycame out as a gay man.
“I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior,” he began. “As those closest to me know, in my life, I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic relationships with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior.”
source: people.com
