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SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 13 – Anthony Rapp's lawsuit against Kevin Spacey began trial on October 6 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.  Inner City Press attended then tweeted here.

 On the way in video I, II; afterward Space and Vlog. Here's the live tweeted thread by Inner City Press of the openings, here

On October 7, Day 2, with a stated victim of the Public Theater of Joe Papp, a Rapp friend who was told, and the beginning (direct) of Rapp himself. Thread here.

On October 11, Day 3, Rapp was on the stand all day, first on direct, then under cross examination, thread here.

On October 12, Day 4, Rapp was cross examined to the end - then under Rule 412, a courtroom closure. Thread here.

October 13 began with the news that Spacey's lawyer Jennifer Keller tested positive for COVID. It seemed the trial would be postponed - but, with instructions for testing Sunday and Tuesday, it proceeded, with Rapp's expert Roccio. Thread here:

OK - or not. Kevin Spacey trial hits problem - his lawyer Jennifer Keller has tested positive for COVID. Judge Kaplan: We must tell the jury. 

Judge Kaplan: It may be she is not permitted to enter the courthouse for ten days. So... I propose we call the jurors in and tell them, we're suspended. They'll have to get tested on Sunday and Tuesday

 Judge Kaplan: If they're all full vaccinated... Lawyer: But you asked them. Judge Kaplan: Not if they were full vaccinated. If they are full vaccinated and don't have ongoing exposure... We can send them home and tell them we'll advise them

 Judge Kaplan: I'd like the defense table and anyone else whose been within six feet of Ms. Keller for more than 10 minutes to stand up - and then put on a mask. If we don't have enough, we'll get more.

Jury entering! Judge Kaplan: Good morning. Ms. Keller has tested positive for the virus. Under the protocol that the Court is following, you folks must test on Sunday and Tuesday, PCR or FDA-authorized at-home test.  The Court can provide tests.

 Judge Kaplan: Give my chambers your phone numbers and emails. But I think we can proceed this morning, and see how far we get. [People look confused. Spacey, at defense table, puts mask on.]

Now, despite what was said about Spacey's lawyer Keller testing positive for COVID, testimony of Rapp's expert Rocchio continues (!)

Rocchio: Attempted sexual interactions can impact -- Judge Kaplan: Members of the jury, I will instruct you as to the law.

Rocchio: I took a trauma inventory... Spacey's (second) lawyer: Objection, this invades the province of the jury, it goes to causation. Motion in limine number three. Judge Kaplan: Overruled.

 On cross examination of Rapp's expert Rocchio by Kevin Spacey's lawyer: Q: Attorneys refer patients to you, right? Rocchio: Yes. Judge Kaplan: Do you consider what you did for Mr. Rapp in this case treatment? Rocchio: No.

 Judge Kaplan: Folks, I have to take a break. [People wander around; some speculate if the call has to do with the trial going forward, unlike the US v. Trevor Milton / Nikola trial, which paused 9 days after lawyer tested positive for COVID). Thread will continue.

Judge Kaplan returns, and this is what he says: Members of the jury, in the morning I may have seemed to express skepticism about what Dr Rocchio was saying. You are not to consider that.

Spacey's lawyer: Are you aware Mr Rapp said his boyfriend hit him multiple times? Rapp's lawyer: Objection! Judge Kaplan: Sustained. Rocchio: I'm not sure --

Judge Kaplan: The objection was sustained. They're back, cross: Spacey's lawyer: Did you review deposition of Anthony's brother Adam? Rocchio: Yes Spacey's lawyer: Let's talk PTSD. Requirement C is persistent avoidance of stimulae -- I'm reading this out of the book. Rocchio: That's the heading.

Spacey's lawyer: Avoiding reminders that arouse traumatic memories... Mr Rapp told you he avoids like that, right? Spacey's lawyer: But Mr. Rapp went to see Lost in Yonkers with Kevin Spacey in it. He didn't have an electric shock when he saw it, right?

Rocchio: No. Spacey's lawyer: And Mr. Rapp saw L.A. Confidential, right? Rocchio: Yes

 Spacey's lawyer: You wrote that Mr. Rapp had "tears in his eyes" - did he? Rocchio: I wrote it. It happened a number of times. Spacey's lawyer: You are aware that he is an actor, right?

Spacey's lawyer: Dr Rocchio, you found that when he was 10 or 11, before 1986, Mr. Rapp engaged in oral sex, right? Rocchio: Right. Spacey's lawyer: And Rapp beat up a boyfriend who wanted to leave him?

Rocchio. Yes. He wrote about it.

 The trial ended at 3:41 pm. Will it resume Monday?

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