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UK Court Exonerates Kevin Spacey: Actor Cleared of All Nine Sexual Misconduct Allegations in Landmark Trial

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UK Court Exonerates Kevin Spacey: Actor Cleared of All Nine Sexual Misconduct Allegations in Landmark Trial

In a groundbreaking trial that has sent ripples through Hollywood, Oscar-winning US actor, Kevin Spacey, was found not guilty on nine counts of historical sex offences against four men. The verdict, delivered on Wednesday in a London court, prompted a tearful reaction from Spacey, who celebrated his 64th birthday on the same day.

After 12 hours of thoughtful deliberation, the jury at Southwark Crown Court decided to acquit Spacey of serious charges. These charges included sexual assault, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity. Upon hearing the verdict, Spacey was seen mouthing a thankful gesture towards the jury while tears welled up in his eyes.

This four-week-long trial put under scrutiny incidents that allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2013, during Spacey’s tenure at London’s prestigious Old Vic theatre. Prosecutors accused the actor of aggressive sexual misconduct towards three men in the United Kingdom. The fourth man claimed that Spacey performed non-consensual oral sex on him while he was unconscious in the actor’s London apartment.

Prosecutor Christine Agnew presented a detailed case against Spacey, characterizing him as a “sexual bully” who used his influential position to exploit others. She argued that the actor benefitted from a “trinity of protection”. His status, she claimed, dissuaded men from lodging complaints, created scepticism if they did, and even if accusations were made, no consequential action would be taken due to his powerful position.

However, Kevin Spacey, who was tried under his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, denied these allegations. He contended that the case against him was weak and insisted that if any such incidents occurred, they were consensual. Spacey described himself as promiscuous and a “big flirt” who had “casual, indiscriminate sexual encounters”.

Spacey’s defence also pointed out the potential financial motives behind the allegations. The actor revealed that three out of the four complainants had filed civil lawsuits against him, one of whom had sought a payment of over 450,000 pounds ($577,400). Spacey admitted to hiring private investigators to probe into the backgrounds of at least three of the accusers.

His lawyer, Patrick Gibbs, forcefully argued that enjoying sex or engaging in casual sex isn’t a crime even for a famous person. He underscored that in the contemporary era of 2023, having sex with someone of the same sex is not a crime.

The defence also called upon prominent figures like singer Elton John and his husband David Furnish, who testified as part of Spacey’s defence. Gibbs emphasized how Spacey had been “monstered” on the internet daily and had become a pariah in the industry.

Spacey’s acting career faced significant damage after these allegations surfaced. His role was removed from “House of Cards”, and his scenes in “All the Money in the World” were replaced by Christopher Plummer. For six years, aside from some minor roles, Spacey has had little work as an actor.

In a previous trial, a New York jury cleared Spacey in a $40m lawsuit filed by “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp on allegations dating back three decades. The actor regarded this London case as a potential turning point for his career, hinting in an interview with German magazine Zeit that there were people eager to hire him if he was cleared of these charges in London.

Today’s verdict represents a critical moment for Kevin Spacey, perhaps marking the end of a tumultuous period in his life and career, and potentially paving the way for a return to his acting career.

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