Jury deliberates: How it goes on in the trial of actor Kevin Spacey now

Highlights: Kevin Spacey is accused of sexual harassment of four men in several cases. The actor denies the allegations – now the jury is meeting. The 12-member body, which includes more men than women at this hearing, must make its decision unanimously. In the event of a guilty verdict, the sentence will be determined later by the judge and announced at a date in the future. The allegations were made public for the first time in 2017 in the course of the #MeToo debate, which led to many other accusations.

For four weeks, Kevin Spacey has had to answer to a London court. He is accused of sexual harassment of four men in several cases. The actor denies the allegations – now the jury is meeting.

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The inconspicuous suspect: Kevin Spacey in front of Southwark Crown Court in London at the end of July

Photograph:

Peter Cziborra / REUTERS

The Process

Actor Kevin Spacey has been on trial for about a month for alleged sexual assault in London. The proceedings are now coming to an end. The closing arguments were held. The 63-year-old appeared on Monday for the last time in front of Southwark Crown Court, a building near London Bridge station, before the jury retired for their deliberations. They now meet and then have to decide on which points they find the US actor guilty or innocent.

The allegations

Spacey is accused of sexual assault against four men in several cases, including unwanted touching and coercion to have sexual intercourse. According to the indictment, the cases are said to have occurred between 2001 and 2013 in London and the county of Gloucestershire. Spacey was artistic director at London's Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015 and lived in the British capital for a time. The alleged victims testified at Spacey's trial. Among other things, they accused him of being a "sexual bully".

A witness testified that Spacey grabbed him in the crotch "like a cobra." The fact that Spacey is said to have abruptly grabbed men's genitals was repeatedly described in court. The sexual assaults are said to have taken place in different places: in Spacey's London apartment, in the car and behind the theatre stage. Spacey denies the allegations. In the process, he admitted to touching a man in the groin area and a sexual act with another. Spacey stressed, however, that it was "romantic" touching or consensual sex. In court, it was said that Spacey had used his "popularity and prominence, fame and influence" to "take what and whomever he wanted." Spacey also denied exploiting his fame for sexual assault against several men. He defended himself by saying, "I really want to believe that people want to know me for their own sake." At one point, he is on the verge of tears in his defense. Spacey acknowledged that in one case he may have misinterpreted signals from a man that he did not want sexual contact. All other allegations are fictitious.

When asked if he felt lonely and then sought sexual contact, Spacey told the British news agency PA: "Welcome to life. Yes. Yes, I did." He was "very open" when it came to intermittent casual sexual encounters. That doesn't make me a bad person."

The Witnesses

The most prominent witness to the trial was singer Elton John, a friend of Kevin Spacey. He and his husband were connected to the trial via video from Monaco. One of the men who accused Spacey had stated that he drove the actor to Elton John's party in 2004 or 2005.

For a long time, Elton John and his spouse hosted the "White Tie and Tiara Ball" at their home in Windsor for a good cause. Elton John was able to remember Spacey's arrival in 2001 because the actor appeared in the so-called "white tie" dress code. John also confirmed that Spacey stayed with him and Furnish after the ball, but that he couldn't remember if the actor had visited the property again at a later date.

The imminent verdict

If found guilty, Kevin Spacey could face a prison sentence. In the British legal system, however, there are two steps. First, it is decided whether someone will be found guilty or not. It is uncertain how long it will take the jury to deliberate. It could be hours, days, or even weeks.

The judge emphasized on Monday that the jury should take the time they need. The twelve-member body, which includes more men than women at this hearing, must make its decision unanimously. In the event of a guilty verdict, the sentence will be determined later by the judge and announced at a separate date.

Acquittal in the U.S.

Actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of sexually assaulting and hurting him at a party in 1986. He is demanding $40 million in damages. But Spacey won the case. Two other civil lawsuits in the U.S. were withdrawn.

Rapp's allegations, which were made public for the first time in 2017 in the course of the #MeToo debate, led to many other accusations and shook Spacey's then successful career. Kevin Spacey also had his coming-out only in 2017 in connection with the first accusation. Previously, Spacey had always been very restrained when it came to his personal life.