Attorney Arthur Aidala told the jury that the prosecution’s case against Harvey Weinstein would "fall flat on its face." He argued that the evidence presented would not make sense to them. This statement came during the retrial of Weinstein, who is facing new sexual assault charges in New York after a previous conviction was overturned by a court of appeals last April.
Weinstein, now 73, had been serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison after being found guilty of sex crimes in 2020. The appeals court ruled that he did not receive a fair trial, as the judge allowed testimony from women who accused him of misconduct that he was not charged with. In addition to his New York conviction, Weinstein was also found guilty of rape in California in 2022 and received a 16-year sentence there.
The retrial began with a jury of 12 members, consisting of seven women and five men, tasked with determining Weinstein’s fate. The trial is expected to include testimony from actress Jessica Mann and former TV production assistant Miriam Haley, both of whom testified in the 2020 trial. New allegations will also be introduced, including a claim from an unnamed woman who says Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel in 2006.
Weinstein’s health has been a concern, as he suffers from several medical issues, including cancer and diabetes. He underwent heart surgery in September and is currently held in a secure hospital unit. His lawyers successfully requested that he remain at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for treatment instead of the notorious Rikers Island prison, where they claimed he was receiving inadequate care in unsanitary conditions.
Over 100 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape. Due to his multiple convictions, he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison, as he has yet to serve his California sentence. The allegations against him and his subsequent convictions have played a significant role in the #MeToo movement, which seeks to address sexual abuse by powerful figures.
Before his fall from grace, Weinstein was a major player in Hollywood, co-founding the Miramax film studio, known for hits like "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction." His films have garnered over 300 Oscar nominations and won 81 awards. In addition to criminal charges, Weinstein has faced numerous civil lawsuits, including a $19 million settlement reached in 2020 with a group of women who accused him of harassment and rape.