Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty Again in New York Retrial
Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty of committing a criminal sexual act in a New York retrial, marking a partial victory for his accusers. The 73-year-old former movie mogul was convicted of assaulting Miriam Haley but acquitted on a similar charge involving Kaja Sokola. Jurors have yet to reach a verdict on a rape charge brought by Jessica Mann, with deliberations set to continue. Weinstein, who denies all allegations, called the trial unfair and asked for it to be stopped, saying, "My life is on the line and you know what? It’s not fair."
The retrial came after an appeals court overturned his 2020 conviction due to concerns about testimony from women whose accusations weren’t part of the original charges. This time, the trial focused on three women who testified about Weinstein’s abuse during their efforts to break into the entertainment industry, alleging he used his power to force himself on them. Despite their testimonies, Weinstein’s defense claimed the relationships were consensual and painted the women as opportunists seeking fame or settlements.
Weinstein’s downfall has been a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement, which emerged in response to the wave of allegations against him nearly eight years ago. Already serving a 16-year sentence in California, he faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.
