Kevin Spacey's attempt to avoid court unsuccessful, judge says actor will have to attend hearing
The 59-year-old actor has been charged with felony, indecent assault and battery.
By PTI |
Agencies
LOS ANGELES: Actor Kevin Spacey will have to attend his arraignment on sexual assault charges in Nantucket, Massachusetts, a judge decided Monday.
According to People magazine, in papers filed with the court last week, attorneys for Spacey had asked a Massachusetts judge to waive the Oscar winner's mandatory appearance at the January 7, 2019 proceeding.
"Presence will amplify the negative publicity already generated in connection with this case," an affidavit from Spacey noted.
The actor indicated his lawyers would enter not guilty pleas on his behalf at the arraignment.
In early October, Hollywood was rocked by scandal after reports surfaced that movie mogul Harvey Weinstein had allegedly sexually harassed or assaulted multiple women over decades. The film fraternity went into shock as actresses shared their stories against the film producer and former film executive.
Just days after the Weinstein bomb had dropped, there was another big name joining the list: Kevin Spacey. The 'House of Cards' actor was accused by actor Anthony Rapp of molestation. Rapp's outburst led to more than a dozen people coming forward with their own allegations against Spacey that included attempted rape.
In the supporting documents his attorneys claimed that if Spacey attended the hearing, it would "only serve to heighten prejudicial media interest in the case and will increase the risk of contamination of the pool of jurors available for the trial".
The 59-year-old actor has been charged with felony indecent assault and battery for his alleged role in a 2016 incident inside a Nantucket restaurant.
According to the allegations in Massachusetts, Spacey touched an 18-year-old man against his wishes in a sexual manner inside an eatery in July 2016.
The charges comes more than a year after former Boston TV news anchor Heather Unruh publicly accused Spacey of assaulting her son in July 2016.
According to People magazine, in papers filed with the court last week, attorneys for Spacey had asked a Massachusetts judge to waive the Oscar winner's mandatory appearance at the January 7, 2019 proceeding.
"Presence will amplify the negative publicity already generated in connection with this case," an affidavit from Spacey noted.
The actor indicated his lawyers would enter not guilty pleas on his behalf at the arraignment.
Just days after the Weinstein bomb had dropped, there was another big name joining the list: Kevin Spacey. The 'House of Cards' actor was accused by actor Anthony Rapp of molestation. Rapp's outburst led to more than a dozen people coming forward with their own allegations against Spacey that included attempted rape.
In the supporting documents his attorneys claimed that if Spacey attended the hearing, it would "only serve to heighten prejudicial media interest in the case and will increase the risk of contamination of the pool of jurors available for the trial".
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Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Michael Giardino had opposed Spacey's request.The 59-year-old actor has been charged with felony indecent assault and battery for his alleged role in a 2016 incident inside a Nantucket restaurant.
According to the allegations in Massachusetts, Spacey touched an 18-year-old man against his wishes in a sexual manner inside an eatery in July 2016.
The charges comes more than a year after former Boston TV news anchor Heather Unruh publicly accused Spacey of assaulting her son in July 2016.
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