Reuters – Harvey Weinstein has been charged with new criminal offenses in New York, a prosecutor announced in court on Thursday, as the Manhattan District Attorney's office prepares to retry the former film producer following the overturning of his previous conviction for rape.
In 2020, Manhattan juries found Weinstein, 72, guilty of rape charges, but the New York Court of Appeals overturned the conviction in April, ruling that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony from accusers not formally named in the indictment.
Manhattan prosecutors revealed in July that they were investigating additional violent sexual assaults allegedly committed by Weinstein after more women agreed to testify against the Miramax co-founder.
In 2020, Manhattan juries found Weinstein, 72, guilty of rape charges, but the New York Court of Appeals overturned the conviction in April, ruling that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony from accusers not formally named in the indictment.
Manhattan prosecutors revealed in July that they were investigating additional violent sexual assaults allegedly committed by Weinstein after more women agreed to testify against the Miramax co-founder.
Prosecutor Nicole Blumberg did not specify the new charges Weinstein is facing during a hearing before Judge Curtis Farber in New York State Court in Manhattan.
Farber has tentatively set a trial date for November 12, but has indicated he is open to considering an earlier start.
Weinstein's attorney argued that it was unfair for prosecutors to try to add additional victims to the case after the conviction was overturned. "Once again, we have a direct line: '1-800 Get Harvey,'" defense lawyer Arthur Aidala said in court on July 9.
Weinstein’s health has significantly deteriorated in recent years, according to his representatives, and he is confined to a wheelchair due to back problems.
Despite the overturning of his conviction in New York, Weinstein remains in custody at the Rikers Island jail complex due to a separate conviction for rape in California. He was transferred to a prison ward in a New York hospital in July with multiple ailments, including COVID-19.
Weinstein's initial conviction in New York was a milestone for the #MeToo movement, which saw women accuse hundreds of men in the entertainment industry, media, politics, and other fields of sexual misconduct.
A jury found Weinstein guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. They are among more than 80 women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the New York case and 16 years for the separate California case.
Farber has tentatively set a trial date for November 12, but has indicated he is open to considering an earlier start.
Weinstein's attorney argued that it was unfair for prosecutors to try to add additional victims to the case after the conviction was overturned. "Once again, we have a direct line: '1-800 Get Harvey,'" defense lawyer Arthur Aidala said in court on July 9.
Weinstein’s health has significantly deteriorated in recent years, according to his representatives, and he is confined to a wheelchair due to back problems.
Despite the overturning of his conviction in New York, Weinstein remains in custody at the Rikers Island jail complex due to a separate conviction for rape in California. He was transferred to a prison ward in a New York hospital in July with multiple ailments, including COVID-19.
Weinstein's initial conviction in New York was a milestone for the #MeToo movement, which saw women accuse hundreds of men in the entertainment industry, media, politics, and other fields of sexual misconduct.
A jury found Weinstein guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. They are among more than 80 women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the New York case and 16 years for the separate California case.