Kevin Spacey, the Oscar-winning actor who was once one of Hollywood’s most powerful stars, is facing a dozen sexual offence charges in a London court.
The trial, which began on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, is expected to last for four weeks and could result in a life sentence for Spacey if he is found guilty.
Here is everything you need to know about the case.
Kevin Spacey Charges
Spacey is accused of sexually assaulting three men between 2001 and 2013 in London and Gloucestershire.
The charges include:
- Four counts of sexual assault
- One count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent
- Seven counts of indecent assault
The alleged victims are:
- A man in his 40s who claims Spacey assaulted him four times in London between March 2005 and April 2013
- A victim in his 30s who claims Spacey assaulted him once in Gloucestershire in August 2013
- A man in his 30s who claims Spacey assaulted him seven times in London between 2001 and 2004
Spacey has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Kevin Spacey Trial Update
Spacey’s trial began at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday morning, where he arrived wearing a dark suit and a face mask.
He was greeted by a crowd of reporters and photographers outside the court.
The first day of the trial was mainly devoted to jury selection, which proved to be challenging due to Spacey’s fame and the publicity surrounding the case.
The judge reportedly told prospective jurors, “I am sure the defendant will be gratified to know that many of you will know his name or have seen his films”.
He also warned them not to discuss the case with anyone or look up any information online.
The trial was adjourned until Friday, June 30, after the judge learned that Spacey’s defense attorney had another case that would not finish until Thursday.
The prosecution is expected to formally open its case against Spacey on Friday.
Kevin Spacey Case Background
Spacey’s career came to a halt in 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp publicly accused him of making sexual advances towards him when he was 14 and Spacey was 26.
Rapp’s allegation was the first of many against Spacey, who faced accusations of sexual misconduct from more than 20 men in the U.S. and the U.K.
Spacey responded to Rapp’s accusation by apologizing for any inappropriate behavior and coming out as gay, which drew criticism from many who saw it as an attempt to deflect from the issue.
He also said he would seek “evaluation and treatment”.
Spacey was subsequently fired from his role as Frank Underwood in the Netflix series House of Cards and erased from the film All the Money in the World, which had already been completed.
He also faced legal troubles in the U.S., where he was charged with indecent assault and battery for allegedly groping an 18-year-old man at a bar in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in 2016.
However, that case was dropped in 2019 after the accuser refused to testify.
Spacey has largely stayed out of the public eye since the allegations surfaced, except for releasing bizarre videos on YouTube in which he appears to channel his House of Cards character.
In one of them, posted on Christmas Eve 2019, he said: “You didn’t really think I was going to miss the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas, did you? … You want me back”.
Will Kevin Spacey go to jail?
Spacey’s trial is likely to attract intense media attention and public scrutiny as it unfolds over the next month.
It is also likely to be a landmark case for the #MeToo movement, which has exposed widespread sexual abuse and harassment in various industries.
If Spacey is convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence and a permanent end to his acting career.
If he is acquitted, he may still face difficulties in restoring his reputation and finding work in Hollywood.
Whatever the outcome, Spacey’s trial will be a reminder of how far one of the most celebrated actors of his generation has fallen from grace.
