Yahoo News Kevin Spacey acquitted in UK sexual assault case
This story discusses topics including rape and sexual assault allegations.
Former House of Cards star Kevin Spacey has been acquitted in his UK sexual assault case.
The actor was originally charged with multiple offences in relation to alleged encounters with four different men dating back to the early 2000s, but was ultimately cleared of nine charges on Wednesday (July 26).
Spacey was present at Southwark Crown Court in London when he learned a jury would not convict him for sexual assault, indecent assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity.
According to Variety, it took the London jury 12 hours to reach a verdict in the case that has stretched out over more than a month. Four men, who cannot be named publicly for legal reasons, testified with accusations against Spacey throughout the trial.
Spacey had originally been charged with 12 counts in all, but they were dismissed by the judge.
Following the verdict, Spacey conferred with his legal team and manager before speaking to the press outside Southwark Crown Court.
"I would like to say that I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached the decision. And I am humbled by the outcome today," he told the press.
Last year, a US civil court found Spacey was not liable in a $40 million lawsuit brought by Star Trek: Discovery's Anthony Rapp over allegations that Spacey had committed sexual battery against Rapp when he was 14 years old.
Other civil complaints were dropped in the aftermath of Spacey facing multiple accusations of sexual impropriety from his time as artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre and in civilian settings.
In the wake of those original allegations in 2017, Spacey was sacked from the final season of Netflix political drama series House of Cards and edited out of the film All the Money in the World.
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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