Harvey Weinstein returns to court as prosecutors seek new trial after rape conviction overturned | News of Entities and Arts

May 2, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

US prosecutors plan to retry Harvey Weinstein after his 2020 conviction for rape was overturned in New York.

The disgraced movie mogul, who has been in prison for four years, appeared in a Manhattan court on Wednesday for the first time since that conviction was overturned by an appeals court last week.

A new trial could take place in September.

“We believe in this case and we will retry it,” said prosecutor Nicole Blumberg.

In April, the state’s highest court ruled that weinstein did not receive a fair trial, finding that the hearing was harmed by the judge’s “egregious” and inappropriate rulings, including the decision to allow the women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case.

Just days after the historic #MeToo ruling was overturned, he was taken to hospitaland his lawyer Arthur Aidala described him as “something of a disaster health-wise” but still “sharp as a tack” mentally.

Jessica Mann, left, leaves Manhattan Criminal Court after a hearing for Harvey Weinstein, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. Mann accused Weinstein of sexual assault. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Jessica Mann leaves court after the hearing. Photo: AP

Weinstein, 72, has had heart problems, diabetes, sleep apnea and eye problems for some time, and was in “constant pain,” Aidala said.

He entered court in a wheelchair pushed by a court official for Wednesday’s preliminary hearing.

Weinstein was serving a 23-year sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a former Project Runway production assistant. mimi haley in 2006 and raping the former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 following the historic trial of 2020 In New York.

He remains behind bars as he was also convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 for another rape. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for that crime, and is also appealing against this sentence.

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Blumberg told the judge that Mann, who was in court, is prepared to testify again and said she wants everyone to know that the defendant “may have power,” but “she has the truth.”

Haley’s attorney, Gloria Allred, told reporters that her client has not decided whether she will testify a second time, as she found the experience traumatic and painful. She was not in court, Allred said.

Read more: Harvey Weinstein – The Fall of the King of Hollywood

Once considered the most powerful man in Hollywood, the first allegations against Weinstein emerged in 2017.

Dozens of women reported that he intimidated, pressured, coerced or dominated them while demanding sexual favors.

Mimi Haley's attorney, Gloria Allred, holding a sign before speaking to reporters outside the courthouse. Photo: Reuters
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Mimi Haley’s attorney, Gloria Allred, holding a sign before speaking to reporters outside the courthouse. Photo: Reuters

Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and Lupita Nyong’o accused him of sexual harassment, while actresses Asia Argento and Rose McGowan were among others who accused him of rape.

They are among more than 80 women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.

He was also accused of making deals to keep the stories secret.

Weinstein admitted that his behavior “caused a lot of pain” but maintained his innocence throughout, saying any sexual activity was consensual.