On Thursday a federal judge announced that Kevin Spacey did not molest Anthony Rapp.
Spacey’s Lawsuit
It all started with a trend known as the #MeTooMovement. This hashtag encouraged people who have been sexually assaulted in any way to come out. Rapp’s lawyer, Richard Steigman, hopped in on this and placed an attack on Spacey. Steigman tried to ruin Stacey’s reputation from an event that occurred in 1986. In Stacey’s defense, his lawyer Jennifer Keller responded to the situation by saying that it was all made up. Steigman’s claims backfired by Keller. Rapp’s lawyer requested $40 million. This was a three-week trial.
Spacey’s Opportunities
Spacey lost his role in a show on Netflix “House of Cards.” His chances of getting another job have gone downhill ever since. For him, it has felt more like guilty before being proven innocent. The show “Star Trek: Discovery” still features Rapp.
Steigman’s Justification
Steigman told jurors that Kevin wasn’t reliable and he lied to them. Spacey was supposedly lying about the meetup with him. Rapp was 14 years old at the time when he had an encounter with Spacey alone in his one-bedroom apartment.
He then claims that the adult actor pressed against his groin as he climbed on top Rapp said. He allegedly did this until Rapp wiggled his way out. Spacey denied this claim by saying he was never with Rapp.
Spacey and Rapp both performed in roles in some plays. In Addition to that, the veteran actor was living in a studio at the time. Rapp filed this claim to make sure Spacey was held accountable for his alleged actions. Steigman said that Spacey wasn’t liable and should be watched. Keep in mind the jury took approximately an hour and thirty minutes just to decide his fate.
Spacey stood up and started to tear up after the case ended. He hugged his lawyers and assistant. “We’re just grateful that the jury saw the truth,” Jennifer L. Keller stated.
Spacey walked out of the courthouse speechless. Keller said that the jurors were bright and intuitive. She also said that Spacey was very grateful for no longer fighting this battle. It appears to be true seeing him cry leaving. Keller reported that anything that was against him should no longer have an effect just needs to be cleared up. He has another five cases that happened from 2005 to 2013. Keller didn’t like the fact Rapp’s lied and possibly was jealous of his success. Envy is what brought him to place charges against him. “Mr. Rapp is getting more attention in this trial than he has in his entire acting life,” Keller stated.
The Closing Debate
Richard Steigman, argued “It’s inconsistent. It’s not worthy of your belief.” It should be noted that Rapp’s memory of his meeting with Spacey, according to Keller, was like a scene in the play Rapp was performing during the time, in which an adult male actor lifts him up and wants to lay him on a bed. Keller told jurors to disregard the case’s sexual politics. Keller implied the #MeTooMovement. Along with the sexual charge, Rapp claimed that he was in emotional distress, but that right away got denied by the judge and jurors.
Written By: Alexis Medina
Source:
Reuters: Kevin Spacey wins in civil sexual-abuse case brought by actor Rapp
USA Today: Kevin Spacey cleared by jury in Anthony Rapp molestation trial; verdict of ‘not liable’ came after minutes
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Paul Hudson Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of David Torcivia Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
