US actor Kevin Spacey, accused of sexual assault by four men, remained calm at his trial in London on Friday, where prosecutors branded him a “sexual molester” who used his influence to further his ends.
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The Hollywood star pleaded not guilty to all 12 sexual assault charges against four men between 2001 and 2013, including since 2004 when he was manager of London’s Old Vic theater.
Kevin Spacey was “a man who respects neither boundaries nor personal space”, who “likes to make others (…) uncomfortable, a sexual harasser,” the representative of the Crown Persecution Service (CPS, the British public prosecutor’s office) claimed from the start. ), Christine Agnew.
After jury selection and the statement of charges on Wednesday, Friday morning saw the floor for the indictment, which detailed the assaults suffered by the four men, who cannot be identified under English law.
The actor, a two-time Academy Award winner for his roles in American Beauty and Usual Suspects, said he “touched one of them inappropriately (…) and tried to grab his buttocks.” “On a number of occasions Kevin Spacey has grabbed this man’s genitals through his clothing” without his consent, she added.
AFP
Another alleged victim, who was 28 at the time, claims to have met the actor at a theater in 2005 and that he “grabbed his penis with such force that it hurt him,” the allegation continues.
A third man, whom the actor met in a pub one night before going to a party together in 2013, accused the actor of grabbing his crotch with his hand and squeezing it after he pulled it down on his neck despite his refusal had kissed.
Finally, in 2008, a 23-year-old young actor was said to have been attacked. According to the indictment, the alleged victim fell asleep after being invited by Kevin Spacey for a drink in an apartment, then woke up realizing the actor was performing oral sex on her. Despite his refusal, he would have continued and the victim would have pushed him away before leaving the apartment.
While listening to his allegations, the actor remained calm in the defendants’ glass box at Southwark Crown Court, where he appeared to be at liberty. He had just arrived smiling, dressed in a gray suit and yellow tie.
The four men said during the investigation that they dared not speak earlier. For example, one of them stated “that he was not sure if he would have been believed and that even if he had been supported, he did not believe that he would have been supported,” the indictment said.
AFP
These allegations surfaced in 2017 at the dawn of the #MeToo movement, when Kevin Spacey was at the height of his fame starring in the hit Netflix series House of Cards. In doing so, he was kicked out of the series and other projects he was supposed to be a part of.
During the investigation, Kevin Spacey denied those allegations, saying some were “made up” and other reported acts were “consensual,” Christine Agnew said. Mr. Spacey also believed some alleged victims would be seeking monetary compensation by filing this lawsuit.
Shortly thereafter, the actor’s attorney, Patrick Gibbs, stated that the trial would clarify “what happened (…), what was fabricated or falsified and why and when, because it all (…) happened a long time ago “.
AFP
“Kevin Spacey was wealthy and influential,” he added, prompting the jury to consider the intentions of the alleged victims. “What did they expect of his wealth and influence? And what are you waiting for today?” he asked, reiterating that the issue of consent will be a key part of the process.
Kevin Spacey, also charged with sexual assault in the US, was found not guilty by a New York civil court last year. And in 2019, charges were dropped in another case.