Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey made a brief appearance in a London court on Wednesday, the first day of a hearing on multiple allegations of sexual assault.
Mr Spacey, 63, faces 12 charges related to incidents that prosecutors say involved four people and took place between 2001 and 2013. During that period, he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theater in London.
At two previous hearings last year, Spacey had pleaded not guilty to all of those charges.
On Wednesday morning, in a wood-panelled courtroom at Southwark Crown Court – a space usually used for high-profile British criminal cases – Mr Spacey sat in a large transparent box in the middle of the room, deep Wearing a blue suit, light blue shirt and pink tie, while the jury was sworn in.
The judge overseeing the case, Mark Wall, told jurors that Mr. Spacey “will be gratified that many of you know his name, or have seen his films,” but added that it was necessary for him to serve on the case. will not disqualify. Mr Spacey, who appears with his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, smiled at the remark.
Just after noon, the judge dismissed the jury until Friday morning, when prosecutors are expected to make their opening statements. Mr Spacey then left the courtroom accompanied by several advisers.
Mr Spacey is facing 12 charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of engaging in penetrative sexual activity without their consent.