A jury acquits Kevin Spacey in his sexual harassment trial due to lack of evidence. Now, with Anthony Rapp, the alleged victim speaks for himself.
Several men accuse Kevin Spacey of sexual harassment, but the Hollywood star was able to record a success in a US court on Thursday: In New York, a jury unanimously acquitted the 63-year-old of the charge of sexual assault with bodily harm. The actor Anthony Rapp could not prove that Spacey touched him on a "sexual or intimate part of the body" more than 35 years ago, the jury ruled.
After his defeat in court, Rapp made a statement. In this he pointed out that it was never just about winning or losing this case. "When filing this lawsuit, it was always about being part of the big movement to fight back against all forms of sexual violence, to set an example."
"I pledge to remain committed to efforts to ensure we can live and work in a world free from sexual violence of any kind," Rapp continued. "I sincerely hope that survivors will continue to tell their stories and fight for accountability." He also thanked the jury.
The "Star Trek: Discovery" actor had Spacey in the course of the
After a two-week trial in New York, the eleven-member jury acquitted Kevin Spacey on the grounds that Anthony Rapp, now 50, was unable to prove the incident. Spacey doesn't have to pay Rapp the $40 million in damages that he's asking for either.
The "House of Cards" star's legal battle isn't over yet. Spacey is also being prosecuted in the UK for four assaults against three men between 2005 and 2013. In July, he pleaded not guilty in a London court. The 63-year-old also had a win in Nantucket, USA, after a prosecutor refused to testify that a cell phone was missing and that he had deleted text messages. Spacey has pleaded innocent to all charges.
