Update 11:10 a.m. EST Jan 7: Prosecutors asked that Spacey be barred from contacting the victim or witnesses in the case against him.
Prosecutors not asking for bail. Just stay away from alleged victim and witnesses. Spacey only nodding his head to judge. He has not said a word yet. https://t.co/ZS6XTieCR9
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) January 7, 2019
The two-time Oscar winner is accused of felony indecent assault and battery in connection to a 2016 incident at the Club Car. Prosecutors said Spacey groped an 18-year-old bus boy on July 7, 2016, after plying him with alcohol, Reuters reported.
A judge set the next hearing in the case for March 4. Spacey is not expected to attend the hearing.
Spacey now sitting down while attorneys discuss next court appearance. Spacey’s appearance can be waived judge say. March 4 is next date for court. https://t.co/P4clvlGHhw
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) January 7, 2019
Update 10:50 a.m. EST Jan 7: Spacey is expected to appear at 11 a.m. for an arraignment on charges of felony indecent assault and battery.
Update 10:40 a.m. EST Jan. 7: Spacey has said in court papers that he plans to plead not guilty to charges of felony indecent assault and battery, Reuters reported.
Honorable Thomas Barrett just greeted court for the day noting that one case has certainly garnered some media attention. At least one head court officer was brought in from the mainland to help with today’s proceedings. https://t.co/5fwHK0MhsP
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) January 7, 2019
Original report: The typically slow season on Nantucket is seeing an onslaught of media arrive for the Monday morning arraignment for actor Kevin Spacey.
Spacey is accused of sexually groping a teenager in the summer of 2016, and is expected to be at Nantucket District Court sometime before 11 a.m. Monday.
Investigators say Spacey groped the 18-year-old son of former Boston news anchor Heather Unruh after getting him drunk in July of 2016.
The appearance is expected to only take a few minutes, but locals say the attention leading up to it is turning a quiet time of the year into quite an ordeal.
"It's a big deal because it's Kevin Spacey, but it's just an arraignment," John Fee of Clyde's Cab said.
Locals have been monitoring the case for years, and are now anticipating the appearance after the surprising allegations.
"He's a pretty good actor and I liked his work, so it was pretty shocking," Nantucket native Elliott Sylvia said.
The district attorney's office says the alleged crime happened at The Club Car restaurant and bar in Nantucket, only a few blocks from where Spacey will face a judge Monday.
According to the court complaint, the teen, who was working as a bus boy at the restaurant, told Spacey he was over 21 when Spacey started buying him beer and whiskey.
After repeated attempts to get the teen to leave the bar, the complaint says Spacey started groping him in the middle of the bar.
Credit: Tim P. Whitby
Credit: Tim P. Whitby
"Spacey stuck his hand inside my son's pants and grabbed his genitals," Unruh said. "Nothing could have prepared my son for how that made him feel as a man."
Unruh and her son are not expected in court Monday.
Spacey tried to get his court appearance waived, but the judge denied it, saying he has to appear.
Diane Flaherty has lived in Nantucket for 65 years, and hopes the criminal case isn't what people remember about the island.
"I'm sorry that this had to happen, and I'm sorry someone has gone through this," Flaherty said. "I'd rather have people for other reasons other than this, because Nantucket has a lot more to offer."
There is no clear indication when and how Spacey will arrive, but several officials told Boston 25 News he will likely fly in before the 11 a.m. arraignment.