Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey told a court in London Thursday in his ongoing sexual assault trial that he touched the complainant – who is one of four men who made allegations against the actor – in a “romantic and intimate” way.

  • EricKendrick@feddit.uk
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    1 year ago

    Isn’t that basically an admission of guilt? If he did a thing, you can’t say you didn’t if you are arguing you were very nice about doing it. Skirting the “but they enjoyed it” defence is unpleasant

    So then it becomes a question on whether he had consent to do the thing? which is a weak argument - I’m sure every abuser will try this one during the trial.

    • substill@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      It is common for a defendant in a sexual misconduct case to claim it was consensual. That isn’t a new thing. That’s one of the primary defenses.

      • EricKendrick@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        Absolutely, and it’s a terrible defence because without demonstrable evidence of consent, it is the same case as every successful prosecution case ever.

        Much easier to prove and argue would be variations on “it can’t be me, I wasn’t there”, and “it goes completely against my character to do this, and everyone can vouch for that”. Both of which are conceded by the “I did it in a romantic way” defence.

    • DarkThoughts@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      While it is a common tactic by abusers, the question itself isn’t a weak argument but what discerns whether it was sexual abuse or not. That’s simple rule of law. False allegations are still a thing, especially towards famous, or rather rich people.