Kevin Spacey’s Sexual Assault Case Dismissed As a consequence of ”Unavailability of Complaining Witness”
UPDATE: The sexual assault case in opposition to Kevin Spacey has been dropped because of the “unavailability of the complaining witness,” in line with courtroom paperwork obtained by E! Information. In a press launch the District Lawyer for the Cape and Islands District Michael O’Keefe additional defined that the case was dropped as a result of, “a defendant can’t be convicted on the uncorroborated testimony of an immunized witness.” Moreover, the district legal professional asserts that granting immunity to the witness “compromises the witness to a level which… makes the additional prosecution untenable.”
E! Information has reached out to Spacey’s legal professional for remark.
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Kevin Spacey was arraigned in Nantucket District Court docket on Monday after being accused of sexually assaulting the son of a former TV information anchor at a bar in Nantucket, Mass. again in 2016.
The 59-year-old actor flew in for the proceedings by way of a personal airplane and gave the impression to be smiling as he entered the courthouse round 10:45 a.m. native time. Throughout a nine-minute listening to, Spacey was ordered to keep away from and haven’t any contact with the alleged sufferer or his household. The courtroom additionally ordered preservation of cellphone knowledge from the alleged sufferer’s cellphone from July 2016 to 6 months after the alleged incident.
In line with CNN, a plea of not responsible was entered on Spacey’s behalf.
The subsequent listening to is scheduled for Mar. four at 11:00 a.m. native time. The courtroom agreed to waive Spacey’s look; nevertheless, he have to be obtainable by cellphone.
Decide Thomas Barrett oversaw the proceedings, and Spacey was represented by Alan Jackson. The alleged sufferer was represented by assistant district legal professional Michael Giardino.
In line with NBC Information, the case first got here to gentle in November 2017 after the Boston anchor, Heather Unruh, held a press convention and alleged Spacey groped her son’s genitals at The Membership Automotive. The alleged incident was mentioned to have occurred when the alleged sufferer was 18 years outdated.
“By reporting the sexual assault, my consumer is set an encouraging voice for these victims not but able to report being sexually assaulted,” the alleged sufferer’s legal professional advised E! Information. “My consumer is main by instance.”
In line with courtroom paperwork, the alleged sufferer exchanged textual content messages, calls and Snapchats together with his then-girlfriend about his interactions with Spacey. Nonetheless, Jackson claimed the alleged sexual assault was “by no means talked about” within the message trade.
In December 2018, it was revealed that Spacey confronted a felony cost of indecent assault and battery. The former Home of Playing cards star said his intent to plead not responsible shortly after.
In line with ABC Information, Spacey had tried to be excused from Monday’s proceedings, noting his attendance would “amplify the unfavorable publicity already generated in reference to this case.” Nonetheless, his request was denied.
This wasn’t the primary time Spacey had been accused of misconduct. Again in 2017, Anthony Rapp publicly accused Spacey of constructing a sexual advance in direction of him when the Star Trek: Discovery actor was 14. Whereas Spacey claimed he didn’t keep in mind the alleged incident, he apologized to Rapp. He additionally got here out as homosexual in his apology. Different accusers have since come ahead.
After staying out of the general public eye because the sequence of accusations, Spacey just lately resurfaced. On the finish of December, Spacey was photographed for the primary time since 2017. The 2-time Oscar winner was seen masking up his face with a hat and scarf as he headed to his automobile. He was then noticed once more later that month delivering a pizza to a paparazzi photographer. On the time, he wore a hat with the phrases “retired since 2017” throughout the entrance. Not solely was 2017 the 12 months most of the accusations got here to gentle however it was additionally the 12 months Netflix minimize ties with the Frank Underwood character.
Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Pictures
As well as, he launched a video from his private YouTube account through which he appeared to reprise his Home of Playing cards function.
“So, we’re not achieved, it doesn’t matter what anybody says,” he said within the video. “And moreover, I do know what you need. You need me again. After all, some believed the whole lot and have simply been ready with bated breath to listen to me confess all of it. They’re simply dying to have me declare that the whole lot mentioned is true and that I bought what I deserved.”
The video was launched simply hours after information of Spacey’s arraignment broke.
(This story was initially revealed on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, eight:42 at eight:42 a.m. P.T.)