One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Former Megaproducer Harvey Weinstein Appeals Sex Crime Conviction
Harvey Weinstein arrives at the Manhattan Criminal Court, on February 24, 2020 in New York City. - The jury in Harvey Weinstein's rape trial hinted it was struggling to reach agreement on the most serious charge of predatory sexual assault as day four of deliberations ended February 21, 2020 without a verdict. The 12 jurors asked New York state Judge James Burke whether they could be hung on one or both of the top counts but unanimous on the three lesser counts. The disgraced movie mogul, 67, faces life in prison if the jury of seven men and five women convict him of a variety of sexual misconduct charges in New York. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo by JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)
More than a year after he was convicted in New York of two felony sex crimes, Harvey Weinstein has appealed his verdict, arguing that his trial wasn’t fair.
The 166-page appeal argues the trial judge made a series of prejudicial rulings undermining the former Hollywood mogul’s ability to defend himself.
The 67-year-old Weinstein is currently serving 23 years in prison after being convicted of first-degree criminal sexual assault and third-degree rape.
The appeal maintains the jury should not have heard from other women who testified about sexual assaults allegedly committed by Weinstein that were not part of the charges in the trial.
It also notes Weinstein was prevented from having expert testimony for his defense that women may file false rape charges or that their memories might not be reliable.
Weinstein’s lawyers said that and other rulings demonstrated “the trial court’s unwillingness to permit the defendant to present any defense to the jury, while permitting the prosecution to develop a theory of the case that was based on uncharged, salacious allegations and improper expert testimony.”
And even though Weinstein was found not guilty of more serious charges that would have put him behind bars for life, his 23-year term nevertheless is “a death sentence,” the appeal argues.
Sponsored message
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office said it will respond to Weinstein’s appeal in court. He still faces a potential trial in Los Angeles for allegedly raping one woman and sexually assaulting another.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
