The jury in Kevin Spacey’s sexual abuse civil trial discovered the actor not accountable for battery towards Anthony Rapp.
The jury deliberated for lower than 90 minutes earlier than returning their verdict Thursday afternoon, the Related Press studies.
Rapp claimed that in 1986, when he was 14 years outdated, Spacey invited him to his house for a celebration a couple of days after assembly at a post-show occasion when each performers have been starring in separate Broadway productions. Rapp alleged that as that social gathering ended, an inebriated Spacey picked him up, positioned him on his mattress, and climbed on high of him, making a sexual advance.
Rapp delivered emotional testimony in court docket whereas recounting the alleged incident, calling it “essentially the most traumatic single occasion” in his complete life.
Spacey, in the meantime, rejected and denied the accusations totally, claiming the alleged incident by no means occurred. Spacey’s legal professional’s prompt that Rapp “created a narrative” and that he got here ahead along with his allegations probably out of jealousy over Spacey’s profitable profession.
READ MORE:
Kevin Spacey to Pay ‘Home of Playing cards’ Manufacturing Firm $31 Million Over Firing for Alleged Sexual Misconduct
The lawsuit sought $40 million in damages. Rapp’s legal professionals have been barred from mentioning or referencing the quite a few different authorized circumstances and public allegations of sexual abuse which were leveled towards Spacey, each within the U.S. and Europe.
Following the jury’s verdict, Spacey’s legal professional, Jennifer Keller, informed reporters, “I’m very grateful to the jury for seeing by way of these false allegations.”
Rapp launched a press release on Twitter Thursday afternoon, addressing the case and his emotions concerning the intentions behind submitting the lawsuit within the first place.
READ MORE:
Kevin Spacey Pleads Not Responsible to Sexual Assault Costs In UK Courtroom
“I’m deeply grateful for the chance to have my case heard earlier than a jury, and I thank the members of the jury for his or her service,” Rapp wrote. “Bringing this lawsuit was at all times about shining a light-weight, as a part of the bigger motion to face up towards all types of sexual violence.”
“I pledge to maintain on advocating for efforts to make sure that we are able to stay and work in a world that’s free from sexual violence of any sort,” he continued. “I sincerely hope that survivors proceed to inform their tales and battle for accountability.”
This authorized improvement comes three months after Spacey pleaded not responsible in a courtroom in London to 4 costs of sexual assault towards three males, associated to incidents that allegedly passed off between 2005 and 2013. He additionally pleaded not responsible to 1 depend of “inflicting an individual to interact in penetrative sexual exercise with out consent.”
The decide within the case informed Spacey and his legal professionals that a trial — which is predicted to final between three and 4 weeks — would begin June 6, 2023.
Extra From ET:
Kevin Spacey Granted Bail as He Makes First Look In U.Okay. Courtroom on Sexual Assault Costs
Kevin Spacey Formally Charged With Sexual Assault, Will Seem In London Courtroom
Kevin Spacey Charged With 4 Counts of Sexual Assault in United Kingdom