Spacey Wins a Legal Victory – But the Drama Is Still Alive
The Verdict
In a Manhattan federal courtroom, jurors found that former Oscars‑winner Kevin Spacey was not guilty of the sexual‑abuse allegation filed by his former co‑star Anthony Rapp. After a three‑week trial, the decision means Spacey keeps his free‑bacon status legally intact.
How the Trial Went Down
- Rapp testified that Spacey took him onto a bed, pressed his groin to Rapp’s hip, and then—by sheer willpower—escaped.
- Spacey, on his end, declared the whole thing never happened and insisted he never spent a private moment with Rapp.
- Rapp’s lawyer, Richard Steigman, tried to paint Spacey’s memories as shaky and full of holes.
- Jennifer Keller, Spacey’s counsel, called the case a “fabrication” and tossed a few theories for why Rapp might be lying—attention‑seeking motives or a bit of jealousy over Spacey’s blockbuster career.
Why the Jury Went Home With Spacey
“It’s inconsistent, just not worth believing,” the defense argued. The jurors didn’t find enough evidence to back Rapp’s claims, and the court decided that Spacey was cleared.
What This Means for Spacey’s Career
Spacey once won Oscars for American Beauty and The Usual Suspects. Those glints of gold were brightened by twenty‑plus accusations of misconduct, forcing the actor out of projects like Netflix’s House of Cards and All The Money In The World (where Christopher Plummer took over his role).
Aftermath
While the verdict lifts a legal seal, the shadow of the accusations still clings. Spacey’s path forward remains uncertain—it’s a bit like a drama series with a cliffhanger you don’t quite know whether to binge or skip.
<img alt="" data-caption="Actor Anthony Rapp arrives at the Manhattan Federal Court, in New York City, on Oct 18, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”4bc61d03-4f76-4cf4-9e2a-a593ebac98ef” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/anthony2323.jpg”/>
Kevin Spacey’s Trial: A Retaliatory Roast in Manhattan
On October 6th, the Manhattan Federal Court turned into a playground for legal drama—a little more than five years after the #MeToo wave that toppled Spacey’s career. Back then, women were brave enough to spill the tea on sexual abuse by the in‑the‑know. Men, too, shook the ground, but the focus was still on that torch‑lit “MeToo” movement.
Spacey’s Side‑Story
Spacey has been flat‑out denying any wrongdoing. “I didn’t do it, man,” he says. Somebody told this to his lawyer, a guy named Keller, who nudged jurors to forget the politics of it all.
- “This isn’t a team sport where you’re either on the MeToo side or the other side,” Keller pleaded.
The Battle From Southern California
In November 2020, a man named Rapp filed a suit for battery and the bitter-sweet emotional distress that comes from a bad hookup. The emotional distress claim? Dropped. The rest? Still on the gavel—thanks to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.
Back to London for a Criminal Jenga
Fast forward to next year, and Spacey’s heading back to London. There, five criminal charges are waiting for him—claims he allegedly assaulted someone between 2005 and 2013. He’s pleading not guilty, shouting “Adiós” to the allegations.
Takeaway
While the courtroom drama rages over, look at the broader picture: allegations from all walks of life, the incongruence of accusations, and the jury’s duty to sort through the noise. Spacey’s saga reminds us that no one is above the law, even if their scripts are full of drama.
