Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced film mogul, was informed he will face a retrial for rape and sexual assault convictions that the state had overturned, and he confronted one of his victims on Wednesday in New York court.
The highest court in New York reversed his 2020 conviction for raping actress Jessica Mann, who was standing right next to Weinstein in the public gallery of the courthouse.
Wheeled into the Manhattan courtroom with his lawyers at his sides, Weinstein looked noticeably weak. He smiled and waved to fans as he was brought past the public gallery in a wheelchair.
Weinstein sat at the defendant’s table wearing a dark suit and thin hair, surrounded by two armed court officials. Weinstein has seldom been seen in public for years.
“Our office is confident in this case, which is why (accuser) Jessica Mann is in court today,” prosecutor Nicole Blumberg stated, declaring that a retrial would be pursued. “She is determined to see justice done properly once more.
“We have every belief that the defendant will be convicted again at trial.”
However, Weinstein’s attorney Arthur Aidala maintained that “he was acquitted of the most serious counts,” charging the prosecution with self-perjury during the initial trial in New York.
Judge Curtis Farber denied Weinstein’s team’s request for their client to be given free until any retrial, remanding him until September 4, which he scheduled after Labor Day.
Saying, “His life is on the line,” Aidala worked to secure his client’s release.
– #MeToo
According to Farber, “we anticipate a trial schedule some date after Labor Day.” The case’s next hearing is scheduled for May 29 to address discovery-related matters.
“He will be remanded until trial.”
2020 saw Weinstein found guilty in New York of forcing former production assistant Mimi Haley to have oral sex with him in 2006 and of raping and sexually assaulting actress Mann in 2013.
He received a 23-year prison sentence.
The trial judge made a mistake last week, according to the highest court in New York, when she allowed the testimony of women who said Weinstein had assaulted them but were not mentioned in the accusations against him.
Given that Weinstein was found guilty of rape in California and given a 16-year term, it is likely that he would have remained in detention anyway.
The formerly untouchable Hollywood heavyweight spent time in a secure hospital unit and dealt with a variety of health problems while incarcerated.
When shocking claims against the Oscar-winning producer surfaced in 2017, it was the beginning of the #MeToo movement, which witnessed an increase in the number of women speaking out against workplace harassment and sexual assault.
The judge’s approval of the prosecution’ use of so-called “Molineux witnesses,” who were permitted to speak even though they were not related to the charges—a departure from the standard guidelines for evidence—was the deciding factor in the decision to overturn the convictions in New York.
Attorneys stated that the reversal in New York was not expected to have an impact on Weinstein’s conviction in Los Angeles.
Weinstein’s legal team has said that it will immediately file an appeal against the verdict in California.
After he was found guilty in New York, scores of additional women who had accused the former movie magnate of abuse received $17 million in a civil trial.
In 1979, Weinstein and his brother Bob joined together to form Miramax Films, a distribution firm bearing the names of their father Max and mother Miriam. Disney purchased it in 1993.
Among their hits was “Shakespeare in Love,” which won a best picture Oscar in 1998 and shared by Weinstein. Weinstein’s films have been nominated for almost 300 Oscars and have won 81 statuettes.
Leave a Reply