'A consensual, a very nice and lovely evening': Kevin Spacey acquitted after four-week sexual assault trial

Hollywood's fallen star, Kevin Spacey, marked his 64th birthday with tears of relief in his eyes, as he was declared not guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault. The verdict arrived after an intense four-week trial in London's Southwark Crown Court, leaving Spacey cleared of all charges.

A Trial and a Triumph

The allegations date back to 2004-2013, during Spacey's tenure as the artistic director at the Old Vic theater in London. Spacey, a two-time Academy Award winner for his performances in "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty", faced seven counts of sexual assault and two counts of other serious sexual offenses. The actor maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

After 12 hours and 26 minutes of careful deliberation spanning three days, the jury delivered its final verdict, absolving Spacey of all charges. "Thanks to the jury", said a visibly relieved Spacey, echoing his gratitude.

Allegations and Acquittals

Throughout the trial, prosecutor Christine Agnew painted a grim picture of Spacey as "a sexual bully" who took pleasure in making others uncomfortable. Spacey retorted to these charges as being "madness" and a "stab in the back."

The complainants narrated their chilling experiences with Spacey, each echoing a similar pattern of inappropriate and forceful advances. Whether it was a forceful hand placed on the crotch while driving or a sudden assault at a charity event, the accusations painted an unfavorable image of the actor. However, Spacey steadfastly denied each claim, terming one encounter as a "clumsy pass" but refuting the assault allegation.

The final complainant, an aspiring actor, recounted being drugged and assaulted after seeking career advice from Spacey. The actor, in his defense, stated that they had shared "a consensual, a very nice and lovely evening."

Under rigorous questioning by Spacey's lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, all complainants denied seeking financial gain, career advancement, or giving false accounts to the jury, as reported by PA Media.

This verdict follows a previous ruling from last year where a New York jury found Spacey not liable for battery in an incident involving actor Anthony Rapp.

As reported by CNN, the conclusion of this high-profile trial marks a significant chapter in Kevin Spacey's legal battles, with the actor having a moment of respite amidst the storm.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)