He tried not to be an asshole. But to an extent he was. That realization is the closest thing to an admission of guilt from former Hollywood star Kevin Spacey. A few weeks ago dedicated this to him time magazine a cover story in which the reporter wonders how one lives as a canceled metoo suspect. In the article Spacey still denies all allegations, only admits that the success did not bring out the best in him.
After an acquittal in New York, Spacey is now back in court in London on Wednesday afternoon on allegations of sexual assault. He is optimistic that this process will also end with an acquittal, which will finally rehabilitate him. What is this time about? Answers to the most important questions.
What is the London trial about?
The two-time Oscar winner (“American Beauty”, “The Usual Suspects”) is accused of sexual offenses against four men. The offenses he is charged with range from molestation to coercion and are believed to have occurred between 2001 and 2013. In one of the cases, Spacey is accused of coercing a person into “penetrative sexual activity.” In 2005, he was alleged to have sexually assaulted a man, now in his 40s, on two occasions. Another man, now in his thirties, made a similar accusation against him.
Spacey lived longer in London, from 2004 to 2015 he directed the renowned London theater “Old Vic”. Because of the seriousness of the charge involving forced sex, British law requires Spacey to appear in court in person if he is to defend himself. That’s why he’s expected to begin the trial at Southwark Crown Court. The hearing is scheduled to last four weeks.
How did he comment on the allegations beforehand?
When Spacey had to appear digitally before the London court at the preliminary hearing earlier this year, he pleaded not guilty via video link. Also in an interview with time magazine he expressed confidence that the allegations will collapse. This was the case with the Rapp lawsuit in New York and will be the case again now.
What allegations have there been against Spacey so far?
It all started in 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp interviewed Buzzfeed News said Spacey molested him at a party in 1986 when Rapp was 14. He later told the court that he was watching TV at a party at the then 26-year-old Spacey’s apartment when Spacey came in, apparently drunk, threw him onto a bed and hugged him. Spacey denies these allegations to this day, or says that he has no memory of such an incident.
More than a dozen allegations followed, accusing Spacey of touching their genitals in bars or on set, or of exposing himself to them without being asked.
How did the court cases in the USA end?
A US jury unanimously acquitted Spacey of sexually assaulting actor Anthony Rapp in New York in October. During questioning by Spacey’s attorneys, Rapp, who was suing for $40 million in damages, embroiled numerous contradictions about the incident. The jury’s decision in New York offers an outlook on how the allegations against Spacey will continue overall, his defense attorney Jennifer Keller said at the time.
Two other procedures in Los Angeles and Nantucket had previously been discontinued. In one case the alleged victim died, in the other the main prosecution witness no longer wants to testify.