On Wednesday, two-time Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey was found not guilty of nine counts of sexual assault. A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London took 12 hours to reach their decision, following the monthlong trial.
The case arose six years ago when four men alleged that Spacey assaulted them between 2001 and 2013. One complainant told British police that Spacey touched him multiple times without his consent, saying that Spacey grabbed his genitals and almost made him lose control of a car he was driving to Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball.
In an attempt to defend Spacey, John testified that the actor only attended his ball in 2001, though the complainant said that the incident occurred in 2004 or 2005.
While on the stand, Spacey claimed that the pair had a consensual “naughty relationship.”
Other complainants accused Spacey of similar acts, alleging that he engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. The actor’s lawyer, Patrick Gibbs, claimed that the defendants were lying and making claims in hopes of financial gain.
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When the verdict was announced on Wednesday, Spacey was standing in a transparent box in the middle of the courtroom. Upon hearing the words “not guilty,” Spacey reportedly began to cry and let out a sigh of relief.
He then gave a brief statement outside of the courthouse.
“I imagine that many of you can understand that there’s a lot for me to process,” he began. “I’m enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence. I am humbled by the outcome.”
Spacey’s acting career was put on hold during the trial, and it is unclear what he plans to do now that he has been exonerated.
