World Courant
LONDON — LONDON (AP) — Kevin Spacey’s legal professionals enlisted the assistance of an A-list star in his sexual assault trial on Monday, calling on Elton John and his husband to forged doubt on one of many Oscar winner’s accusers to the top of the protection case.
John briefly appeared in London courtroom through video hyperlink from Monaco after his husband, David Furnish, testified that Spacey was not at an annual gala ball at their Windsor house on the time the prosecution stated he was attacked in a automotive.
John was the ultimate witness for the protection and was adopted by character testimonies from colleagues, family and friends that left Spacey in tears as they had been learn by his solicitor at Southwark Crown Courtroom.
Spacey, 63, has pleaded not responsible to a dozen counts, together with assault and assault and one cost of inciting penetrative sexual exercise and not using a individual’s consent.
One of many alleged victims stated he was driving Spacey to the White Tie & Tiara Ball in 2004 or 2005 when the actor grabbed his crotch so forcefully that he almost ran off the street.
Furnish supported Spacey’s personal testimony that the one yr he had attended the occasion was 2001. Furnish stated he checked out photographs taken on the celebration from 2001 to 2005 and that Spacey solely appeared in pictures that one yr. He stated all friends had been photographed yearly.
John, who wore yellow-tinted glasses, a darkish jacket and a light-weight blue shirt with an open collar, stated the actor attended the celebration as soon as within the early 2000s, arriving after flying to England on a non-public jet.
Spacey’s efficiency was a shock and memorable as a result of it was a giant deal, stated Furnish, a filmmaker and John’s supervisor, who was additionally from Monaco.
“He was an Oscar-winning actor and there was a whole lot of buzz and pleasure that he was on the promenade,” stated Furnish.
John stated the actor spent the evening at their home after the occasion. He additionally confirmed that Spacey had purchased a Mini Cooper on the public sale held that evening for the Elton John AIDS Basis.
Spacey stated that he had “ever” spent essentially the most cash on that automotive mannequin and that he saved it in John’s storage till he may decide it up later.
The alleged sufferer stated he could have entered the yr incorrectly, however he wouldn’t have forgotten the incident as a result of it took his breath away and he was driving and almost crashed the automotive.
Nonetheless, the timeline is vital as a result of the person testified that Spacey fondled him for a number of years beginning within the early 2000s. The incident was the final alternative, he stated. He threatened to hit the actor after which prevented him.
Spacey stated the 2 had been associates and had a romantic hookup, however the man was straight, so the actor revered his want to not take it additional. He stated he was crushed to study the person had complained about him to police, saying the person had “reimagined” what had been a mutual touching.
Furnish stated he knew the accuser and described him as “charming,” the identical time period Spacey used.
Throughout two days of testimony final week, the two-time Academy Award winner insisted he had by no means sexually assaulted three of the 4 accusers who described the disturbing encounters between 2001 and 2013. oral intercourse with an unconscious man.
Spacey dismissed one man’s caresses as “pure fantasy” and stated he shared mutual encounters with two others who later regretted it. He accepted a fourth man’s claims, saying he made a “clumsy move” throughout an evening of heavy consuming, however objected to the “crotch-grabbing” characterization.
Lawyer Patrick Gibbs dropped his case after studying statements from 10 character witnesses who praised the actor’s work and compassion for others.
Spacey dabbed his eyes with a tissue as Gibbs learn the phrases of actor Robert Sean Leonard, recognized for his function within the TV present “Home” and the film “Useless Poets Society.” Leonard stated Spacey was “optimistic, supportive and respectful” and somebody he vastly admired.
“He is greater than a profitable actor, he is a film star, however in contrast to each different film star I’ve labored with, he does not know,” stated Leonard. “Stardom was by no means his aim. He loves and respects the job, and he loves and respects the folks he works with.”
Closing arguments are anticipated later within the week. Spacey is out on bail.
John’s testimonial got here simply over every week after he concluded his 50-year touring profession with a present in Stockholm.
It’s the second time this yr that the “Rocket Man” star and Furnish have appeared in a London courtroom. The 2 additionally appeared for March hearings on the Supreme Courtroom of their telephone hacking trial with Prince Harry in opposition to the writer of the Every day Mail newspaper.
