LONDON – Kevin Spacey’s sexual assault trial has taken a dramatic turn, with his lawyer, Patrick Gibbs, asserting that three of the actor’s accusers are liars. In a powerful closing argument delivered on Thursday, Gibbs suggested that these men fabricated stories to jump on a “bandwagon” for financial gain.
Spacey, 63, is facing nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual and indecent assault, as well as causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The alleged acts occurred between 2001 and 2013, during which time Spacey was the artistic director at the Old Vic Theatre in London.
Gibbs vehemently challenged the prosecution’s case, portraying it as based on fictions and fantasies. He contended that Spacey, a promiscuous and closeted gay man in the entertainment industry, had become an easy target for false allegations amidst the power of social media.
The attorney emphasized that Sweden’s freedom of speech laws allowed such protests, and the police, not the government, decide on the authorization of demonstrations or public gatherings. The hate speech law in Sweden prohibits incitement against groups based on various factors, including religion, but the definition of what constitutes hate speech is subject to interpretation.
Gibbs drew attention to inconsistencies in the accusers’ testimonies and presented evidence that refuted their claims. He highlighted the case of a man who alleged unwanted touching by Spacey until a day when the actor grabbed his crotch so forcefully that he nearly caused a car accident. However, photos proved that Spacey attended the event in question in 2001, not the alleged year of the incident.
Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, provided surprise testimony via video from Monaco, supporting Spacey’s alibi and discrediting the accuser’s account further.
Regarding other accusers, Gibbs argued that phone records contradicted their claims and suggested that some were motivated by other factors, such as career advancement or financial gain.
Gibbs emphasized that the prosecution failed to provide substantial evidence to back their claims and urged the jurors to consider the possibility of false allegations in the context of fame, money, and sexual confusion.
The trial has garnered significant attention and will soon be in the hands of the jury, who are set to begin deliberations on Monday in Southwark Crown Court.