Kevin Spacey weeps after being cleared of 9 sexual assault charges.
Kevin Spacey Breaks Into Tears as He’s Acquitted of 9 Sexual Assault Charges
Kevin Spacey, the Oscar winner, was acquitted of sexual assault on Wednesday, bringing him a glimmer of hope for a career comeback. As the final “not guilty” verdict was read, tears streamed down Spacey’s cheeks, coinciding with his 64th birthday.
During his testimony, Spacey emotionally spoke about the six years of unemployment he endured after facing sex abuse allegations during the #MeToo movement in 2017. He described the impact as his world exploding, losing his job, reputation, and everything he had in a matter of days.
Three men accused Spacey of aggressively grabbing their crotches, while a fourth aspiring actor claimed that Spacey performed oral sex on him without consent. Spacey admitted to being a “big flirt” and engaging in consensual flings with men, but he argued that his only misstep was making a clumsy pass by touching a man’s groin.
Defense lawyer Patrick Gibbs dismissed the accusations, labeling three of the men as liars and suggesting that incidents had been reimagined with a sinister spin. He accused most of them of jumping on a “bandwagon” of complaints in hopes of financial gain.
Prosecutor Christine Agnew portrayed Spacey as a “sexual bully” who took what he wanted, shielded by a “trinity of protection.” She argued that Spacey knew men were unlikely to complain, wouldn’t be believed if they did, and even if they did, no action would be taken due to his power.
Spacey faced nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The accusations spanned from 2001 to 2013, a period when Spacey had returned to the theater after winning Academy Awards for “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty.” He served as the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London during most of that time.
The men came forward after an American actor accused Spacey of sexual misconduct as the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2017. Many of the accusers expressed how the abuse haunted them, making it unbearable to watch Spacey’s films.
Spacey’s career took a significant hit, with his removal from “House of Cards” and replacement by Christopher Plummer in “All the Money in the World.” Despite a few small projects, he has struggled to find work as an actor for the past six years.
Last year, a New York jury swiftly cleared Spacey in a $40 million lawsuit filed by “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp, which involved allegations dating back three decades. Spacey viewed the London case as an opportunity for redemption, believing that there were people ready to hire him once he was cleared of the charges.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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