- Prosecution presents case against Kevin Spacey, describes him as a “sexual bully”
- Testimonies of alleged victims reveal details of inappropriate conduct by Spacey
- Defense warns of “damned falsehoods” and asserts Spacey’s innocence in court trial
Kevin Spacey, the recipient of two Academy Awards, is on trial at Southwark Crown Court. He denies 12 charges of 2001–2013 offences against four men.
The prosecution opened its case against Kevin Spacey by claiming he was a “sexual bully” who “delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable” and whose “preferred method of assault” was to “grab” other men “aggressively in the crotch.”
In the United Kingdom, Spacey is facing 12 charges related to four males. Including three counts of indecent assault and seven counts of sexual assault.
Four guys accused the actor of sexually assaulting them in a half-hour.
The 63-year-old actor, who was present in court, was described by Ms. Agnew as “a famous actor who has won several awards,” while one of his alleged victims referred to him as “a star, a golden boy.”
House of Cards, American Beauty, and The Usual Suspects star the two-time Oscar winner.
The prosecution warned the jury not to be “star struck” or “overwhelmed” by Spacey’s celebrity, while the defense stated that the trial would provide “insights into both sides of fame,” including “the way people act towards you” when you are famous.
The four victims, who the prosecution claims do not know each other, testified in court.
Ms. Agnew stated, “None of the men wanted to be sexually touched by Kevin Spacey Fowler. But he didn’t seem to care much about their emotions.
For his carnal gratification, he did whatever he desired.
“His anger simply energized him”
The first alleged victim, who worked with Spacey in London in the early 2000s, claimed the actor inappropriately touched him on multiple occasions and at one point “grabbed him so hard” while he was driving that he nearly lost control of his vehicle.
He claimed he repeatedly requested Spacey not to touch him. But Spacey laughed at his request, and he believed “his anger simply turned him on.”
According to him, Spacey appeared “confident” that he would not disclose the alleged assaults.
“Global celebrity” or “too embarrassed, too ashamed” to report, the alleged victim added.
The second alleged victim, who met Spacey in 2005 at a charity event in London, claimed Spacey made numerous inappropriate comments and said sexual things to him out of earshot of others, before allegedly grasping his penis with “painful force.”
The alleged victim stated that he told a companion about the incident approximately one week later, but no one else.
Claims of unwelcome sexual conduct, advances, and groping
The third alleged victim, who claimed he successfully auditioned for a play at the Old Vic Theatre and subsequently approached Spacey as a mentor, described having a drink at his apartment.
According to him, he awoke to discover Spacey allegedly engaging in unwanted oral sex.
Spacey told him not to talk about what happened or his visit to his flat. And he added that he left in astonishment and later wept at a bus stop.
The fourth alleged victim, who met Spacey in a village pub in late 2017 when the actor entered with his dog, claimed that Spacey kissed his neck and grabbed his crotch after inviting him and a companion back to the expensive house where he was staying.
He reported leaving the house in a “panicked state” and calling his father to inform him of the situation.
Spacey was working and living in the UK from 2001 to 2013. When the alleged victims were all in their 20s or 30s.
Spacey ‘took what and whom he wanted’, according to the prosecution.
The prosecution stated that Spacey would assert that some of the allegations were “fabricated” and others were “voluntary.”
She urged the jury to assess if the claimed victims were “courageous” or “lying” for financial gain.
Ms. Agnew drew the following conclusion: “Kevin Spacey Fowler abused the power and influence that his reputation and renown afforded him; taking advantage of his popularity and prominence, his eminence and influence.
“Taking what and whom he desired, whenever he desired”
The defense warns the jury to anticipate ‘damned falsehoods’
The defense, headed by Patrick Gibbs, stated in a brief statement that Spacey had returned to the United Kingdom to respond to the allegations against him and “say in full in due course what occurred.”
During the presentation of evidence, he warned the jury that they would hear “some truths,” “some half-truths,” “some deliberate exaggerations,” and “many damned lies.”
Twelve charges are brought against Spacey, all of which he denies.
Four counts of sexual assault, three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity comprise the charges.
This final charge is the gravest and bears a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The trial will proceed on Monday at London’s Southwark Crown Court and is expected to last approximately four weeks.
Spacey has been granted parole without conditions.
