Kevin Spacey, an American actor, has appeared in court to face trial on accusations of sexual offenses. Spacey, aged 63, arrived at Southwark Crown Court dressed in a dark blue suit, light blue shirt, and pink tie, traveling in a black taxi. The trial involves 12 sexual offense allegations against him, made by four men. The jury has been informed that watching Spacey’s films does not disqualify them from the case.
Spacey, whose full name is Kevin Spacey Fowler, is facing eight charges of sexual assault, three charges of indecent assault, and one charge of causing a man to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Mr. Justice Wall addressed potential jurors, reassuring them that being familiar with Spacey’s work would not prevent them from serving on the jury. Spacey confirmed that he had no objections to the 14 jurors who took their oath.
The jury will later be reduced to 12 members once the prosecution presents its case. Mr. Justice Wall emphasized the significance of this stage in the trial, stating that the jury would be the only ones able to deliver verdicts on the charges.
The indictment outlines offenses involving grabbing, squeezing, and touching one victim’s genitals and buttocks over their clothing. The three indecent assaults and four sexual assaults are alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2004, while the remaining five offenses are said to have taken place between 2005 and 2013. During the court proceedings, Spacey only confirmed his name while inside the dock.
The judge highlighted the high level of media interest in the case and reminded reporters of the automatic reporting restrictions concerning the naming of the complainants. Patrick Gibbs, KC, representing Spacey, discussed the jury selection process with the judge, and precautions were discussed regarding jurors’ internet usage due to the extensive publicity surrounding the trial.
From a pool of potential jurors who arrived for jury service, a panel of 14 was selected. The charges in question allegedly occurred during the time Spacey served as the artistic director of London’s Old Vic theater. Three of the charges pertain to indecent assault on the same alleged victim during an unknown period between January 1, 2001, and April 30. Three additional charges involve sexual assault on another alleged victim during an unknown period between May 1, 2004, and June 24, 2005. One charge relates to causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent during a period between May 1, 2004, and June 24, 2005.
Spacey, originally from New Jersey, USA, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutor Christine Agnew, KC, is expected to present the case for the prosecution on Friday. The trial is anticipated to last four weeks. Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner known for his roles in films like “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Seven,” “LA Confidential,” and “Baby Driver,” as well as his lead role in the Netflix series “House of Cards,” is currently on unconditional bail.
