Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey (63) has had a great success in court. The New York jury found the “Seven” star not guilty in the harassment trial. His fellow actor Anthony Rapp (50), known from the sci-fi series “Star Trek: Discovery”, had accused Spacey of sexually molesting him in 1986 when Rapp was just 14 years old. According to CNN, the reasoning behind the judgment was that Rapp could not prove beyond a doubt that Spacey touched “a sexual or intimate part” of him at the time.
After the verdict, Spacey’s lawyers would have put their hands on their client’s back in relief. According to reports, a fine of up to 40 million US dollars was possible in the event of a conviction. Spacey had always professed his innocence.
Last Monday (November 17), the responsible judge dismissed Rapp’s lawsuit for intentionally causing mental suffering. However, he allowed the assault to remain – the jury has now acquitted Spacey of this allegation.
Rapp previously testified that after meeting Spacey in 1986, he was invited to a party at Spacey’s New York apartment a few days later. The sexual assault is said to have happened that evening. When the other guests left, Spacey came up to him and picked him up – “like a bridegroom carries his bride over the threshold”. Spacey seemed dazed, Rapp explained. Spacey then reportedly leaned on him “with his full weight” and held his arms while he pressed his crotch to Rapp’s waist.
Later, however, cross-examination by Spacey’s lawyers revealed alleged inconsistencies and contradictions in Rapp’s statements. At the time, Rapp did not notice that the other guests at the party had left because he was watching TV in a separate bedroom. Spacey’s lawyers told the court that their client was living in a studio apartment at the time. As a result, there were no separate rooms in this apartment.
