New York Appeals Court Overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 Rape Conviction: A New Trial Ordered
A New York appeals court has overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction.
The court ruled that the trial was prejudiced against Weinstein, who was found guilty of forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant in 2006 and third-degree rape of an aspiring actress.
Weinstein, a former Hollywood producer known for films like "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction," was sentenced to 23 years in prison and is currently at the Mohawk Correctional Facility.
The appeals court's decision was 4-3 in favor of Weinstein.
The appeals court overturned Weinstein's New York rape convictions due to the trial court's error in allowing testimony about his alleged prior sexual misconduct with people other than the complainants.
The court deemed these testimonies as irrelevant and a violation of judicial discretion.
Weinstein, who maintains his innocence, will receive a new trial.
However, he is currently serving a 16-year sentence for a rape conviction in Los Angeles from 2022.
The #MeToo movement in the US was initiated by allegations against Harvey Weinstein, leading to numerous women accusing the powerful producer of sexual misconduct.
During a hearing in February, Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, criticized Judge Burke for turning the trial into a "Get Harvey" spectacle.
The judge allowed testimony from women whose allegations were not part of the case, which influenced Weinstein's decision not to testify despite his eagerness to share his side of the story.