Kevin Spacey issues statement following jury's not guilty verdict
Kevin Spacey has issued a statement following the not guilty verdict
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Kevin Spacey has been found not guilty on all nine counts of sexual offences in London today.
The actor told media after the verdict he was "humbled" by the jury's decision as he issued a statement reacting to the verdict.
His full statement to the press was: "I imagine that many of you can understand that there's a lot for me to process after what has just happened here today.
"But I would like to say that I'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached a decision.
"And I am humbled by the outcome today.
Kevin Spacey speaks to media after his not guilty verdict
PA
"I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security and all of those who took care of us every single day (and) my legal team for being here everyday.
"That's all I have to say for the moment, thank you very much."
Spacey declined to take questions as he left the court soon after issuing his statement.
As Spacey left, onlookers shouted out “Kevin” and “House of Cards” to the star.
The actor made his way into a waiting taxi while fans clamoured for a photo of the 64-year-old.
Spacey faced seven counts of sexual assault as well as one count causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity.
He denied all the allegations made against him.
Following the jury's decision, the Crown Prosecution Service also issued a statement of its own.
It read: "The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges.
"It is the role of the jury to consider the charges and we respect the decision of the court."
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Kevin Spacey makes his way out of court to address the media
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His statement came after the actor broke down in tears in the dock when he heard the not guilty verdict.