Entertainment
British jury acquits Kevin Spacey of all sexual assault charges
London prosecutors filed charges after they learned of a series of incidents that allegedly took place between 2001 and 2013 when Spacey worked as an artistic director for London’s Old Vic theater
July 26, 2023 4:59pm
Updated: July 26, 2023 4:59pm
A British jury on Wednesday acquitted Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey of nine sexual assault charges he faced, a prosecution that stemmed from decades old accusations.
Spacey, 64, faced seven sexual assault charges, one count of "causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity," and one count of "causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent" the BBC reported.
London prosecutors filed charges after they learned of a series of incidents that allegedly took place between 2001 and 2013 when Spacey worked as an artistic director for London’s Old Vic theater.
Spacey’s jury deliberated for more than 12 hours during a three day span, according to reports from CNN. The L.A. Confidential actor broke into tears in court while the not guilty verdicts were read aloud.
The Hollywood actor’s defense team asserted that three of the four accusers fabricated their allegations and argued that the fourth accuser was intoxicated when the two purportedly had relations.
"It's not a crime to have sex, even if you're famous, and it's not a crime to have casual sex. And it's not a crime to have sex with someone of the same sex because it's 2023 not 1823," defense barrister Patrick Gibbs KC said during the trial.
Spacey was found not liable for battery in October in a separate case brought by actor Anthony Rapp. His courtroom victories have left him without any criminal convictions in the United Kingdom.
