Opening statements are set to commence on Wednesday in the highly publicized retrial of Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood film producer who faces new allegations of sex crimes in New York. This marks Weinstein's third trial in just five years, as he stands accused of sexually abusing a former television production assistant, an aspiring actress, and an unnamed woman.
During the first week of the trial, a jury consisting of 12 members—seven women and five men—was selected to deliberate on Weinstein's fate. The former film mogul has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. Notably, a court of appeals overturned Weinstein's previous conviction for sex crimes in New York last April, leading to new indictments for sexual assault in September.
The court of appeals ruled that Weinstein, now 73 years old, did not receive a fair trial during his previous proceedings. The judge allowed testimony from women who alleged misconduct that he was never formally charged with. After his conviction in 2020, Weinstein had been serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison. Furthermore, he was also found guilty of rape in a separate trial in California in 2022, receiving a 16-year sentence in that case.
This retrial is expected to revisit testimonies from two women who had previously accused Weinstein during his 2020 trial. Actress Jessica Mann and TV production assistant Miriam Haley are both anticipated to testify again. Additionally, the trial will include accusations from an unnamed woman who claims that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel in 2006.
Weinstein's health has been a topic of concern, as he suffers from several medical conditions, including cancer and diabetes. In September, he underwent heart surgery and has since been held in a secure hospital unit. A judge has approved a request from Weinstein's legal team to allow him to remain at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan when he is not in court. His lawyers have argued that he was receiving inadequate medical care in the unhygienic conditions of the notorious Rikers Island prison, which officials have announced plans to close, although the timeline for this closure has been delayed.
In total, Weinstein has faced accusations of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape from over 100 women. As he prepares for his retrial, it is likely that he could spend the rest of his life in prison, particularly since he has yet to start serving his 16-year sentence in California. The decision by many of his accusers to come forward, along with his subsequent conviction in New York, significantly galvanized the MeToo movement, which seeks to combat sexual abuse by powerful individuals.
Before the allegations surfaced, Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob were revered as significant power players in Hollywood. They co-founded Miramax, a film studio known for critically acclaimed hits, including "Shakespeare in Love," which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and "Pulp Fiction." Over the years, Weinstein's films have garnered more than 300 Oscar nominations and have won a remarkable 81 awards. In addition to criminal charges, he has faced numerous civil lawsuits, including a settlement of $19 million (£14.2 million) in 2020 with a group of women who accused him of sexual harassment and rape.
