Actor Kevin Spacey cleared of sexual abuse allegations against four men
After four weeks of trial, the Southwark Crown Court Jury found the 64-year-old actor to be innocent of the nine charges he was facing.
Kevin Spacey speaks out after being found not guilty of sexual assault - Photo Reproduction/Internet
The renowned actor norte-americano Kevin Spacey, was acquitted by a jury in a London court this Wednesday (26), the same day he turns 64, of nine charges that had been filed against him, including allegations of sexual assault. The verdict declared his innocence on all counts, which involved four men.
The judgment lasted for four and a half weeks at Southwark Crown Court, located in London. According to Reuters agency, Kevin Spacey did not contain his emotions and cried when the jury announced the verdict.
Accusations
A famous Hollywood star faced accusations of four men for alleged abuse that occurred between 2001 and 2013. During this period, he held the position of artistic director at the Old Vic theater in London. The allegations included incidents of indecent and sexual assaults, as well as a more serious crime involving penetrative sexual activity without consent, which carries a life sentence. The actor claimed his innocence of all charges.
In October of last year, Spacey was acquitted in a civil suit in which he also faced allegations of sexual abuse. Anthony Rapp, who had filed the lawsuit against the actor, accused him of sexually abusing him when he was just 14 years old. However, the actor vehemently denied the accusation, stating that he was never alone with Rapp.
Judgment
Dressed in a dark suit, pink shirt and tie, accompanied by a burgundy pocket square, Spacey turned his gaze to his legal team as jurors acquitted him of nine sex crimes against four men. As he faced trial in the dock, the Hollywood star placed a hand on his chest, looked at the jurors and thanked him, muttering, "Thank you, thank you."
The judge, Mr. Mark Wall, praised the attorneys involved in the case and stated, "The defendant is free to depart." After the conclusion of the trial in the South London court, Spacey expressed his gratitude to the jury, which took 12 hours and 26 minutes of deliberation to reach the verdict, which received a majority of the judge's votes.
“I imagine that many of you can understand that there is a lot for me to process after what happened today,” the actor said, adding, “But I would like to say that I am immensely grateful to the jury for taking the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before making their decision. And I'm thrilled with today's result... I also want to thank the staff of this court, the security and all those who looked after us every day, my legal team... for being here every day."
Spacey also expressed gratitude to Evan Lowenstein, his business partner and manager, as well as Lowenstein's British wife, Lucy, who attended the trial daily. Before his moving speech, jurors waited anxiously outside the courtroom for his presence. Evan Lowenstein, a 49-year-old former pop star, shook hands with two of the judges, receiving words of support from one.
Afterwards, Lowenstein and five jurors returned to the courtroom, where they met with Spacey. The actor was seen with his hands crossed over his chest, bowing and getting emotional, as if thanking the judges. Spacey hugged and kissed two security guards on the cheek before leaving the venue. As he boarded a taxi to leave, the fans gathered outside the court chanted "we love you Kevin" fondly."
