Kevin Spacey appears in court on charges of sexual misconduct, pleads not guilty
Appearing calm, collected and frequently breaking out in a grin, Kevin Spaceyentered a not guilty plea in a Massachusetts court on Monday as he faced felony charges that he groped an 18-year-old busboy at a bar two years ago.
The ousted “House of Cards” actor was charged last month with one count of felony indecent assault and battery stemming from the 2016 incident in which he allegedly shoved his hand down the teen’s pants.
Spacey, who was dressed in a gray tweed suit, polka dot tie and purple paisley shirt, said nothing during the brief appearance in Nantucket District Court but occasionally broke out in smiles as his lawyer and a prosecutor hashed out details of evidence preservation and other matters.
The “Usual Suspects” star had entered a not guilty plea in paperwork ahead of the hearing.
The case drew a mass of media to the tiny Massachusetts island, which is only accessible via ferry or a small airport.
Ahead of Spacey’s scheduled arraignment, Nantucket District Judge Thomas Barrett heard two dozen other criminal cases on charges including child porn, child rape and drug possession.
“It’d be an understatement to say there’s a case today that has garnered a significant amount of media attention,” Barrett warned the reporters and spectators who packed the courtroom as he took the bench.
“No one should interrupt the proceedings. Sit, listen and observe — but don’t interrupt.”
The two-time Oscar winner, 59, is accused of plying the teen with booze after meeting him at Club Car bar, where the young man worked, on Nantucket in July 2016.
The criminal charges were filed after the alleged victim’s mother, former local news anchor Heather Unruh, publicly accused the “American Beauty” star of grabbing her son’s genitals.
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“Kevin Spacey bought him drink after drink after drink and when my son was drunk, Spacey made his move and sexually assaulted him,” Unruh said during a 2017 press conference.
The journalist’s son told police that Spacey urged him, “Let’s get drunk,” and the teen sent his girlfriend video of the incident, according to court documents.
Spacey — who is charged under his legal name Kevin S. Fowler — tried to skip his court appearance, saying in papers that he believed his “presence will amplify the negative publicity already generated in connection with this case.” Barrett denied the request.
But the actor may have gotten special treatment by court officials, who afforded him a “show-cause hearing” on Dec. 20, the Boston Globe reported. Such hearings are held behind closed doors and used only in misdemeanor cases to determine whether there’s enough evidence to bring criminal charges. But Spacey was facing a felony charge, which carries as much as five years in prison.
During the secret hearings, clerk-magistrates, many of whom do not have law degrees, are authorized to dismiss potential criminal cases — keeping court records out of public view, according to the Globe.
Barrett ordered the disgraced star to stay away from the victim. Prosecutors did not request any restrictions on his travels.
Spacey attorney Alan Jackson, meanwhile, was granted a motion to preserve certain text message evidence between the alleged victim and his girlfriend.
The next hearing in the case is on March 4 but Spacey is not required to attend.
He left the courthouse in a silver Ford Expedition, which took him straight to Nantucket Memorial Airport, driving straight onto the tarmac so he could hop in a private Lear 60.
Via Page Six
My view: Wow this case is strange from start to finish. Why was the 18-year-old boy having a drink with a man old enough to be his granddad, why was he eager to meet with the actor?, did he plan before hand to record their meeting just for fun before it took a turn for the worse?. Was the young man forced to drink?, because after the first two drink, he should've said no and leave the bar. Anyone accused of allegations like this should be allowed to work until their case has been decided, it's not fair that Trump is still the president despite all the allegations against him.