Harvey Weinstein
The process could be reopened in the fall
Harvey Weinstein in court.
© imago/UPI Photo
Will Harvey Weinstein get a second chance in court? He will most likely face a retrial.
The public prosecutor wants the trial against Harvey Weinstein (72) re-rolled. Deputy public prosecutor Nicole Blumberg announced this in court in New York on Wednesday. A new hearing is scheduled for May 29.
The defense also does not stand in the way of a new trial. It is said that both parties would be ready for a new trial from autumn onwards. Whether this actually happens could also depend on the witnesses and their willingness to testify again.
Weinstein appeared significantly weakened and in a wheelchair
Weinstein himself also appeared in court – in a wheelchair and clearly weakened, as reported by “Bild” from the courtroom. The former most powerful man in Hollywood did not comment. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said Weinstein was in very poor physical condition. And asked in court that Weinstein be allowed to stay in the hospital.
According to consistent media reports, he had previously been admitted to a hospital. As a spokesperson for Weinstein confirmed to Varietyhe is said to have “a history of high blood pressure, heart problems and a variety of other health problems” that would need to be monitored.
Weinstein remains in custody
A week ago, Weinstein’s 2020 verdict was surprisingly overturned by the New York Court of Appeals due to procedural errors. Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexual offenses. Despite the abolition by the highest court, Weinstein remains in custody because he was also convicted of sex crimes in another trial in 2022. The sentence was set at the beginning of 2023 at a further 16 years in prison.
The allegations against the former film mogul launched the #metoo movement worldwide in 2017, with which women drew attention to sexual assault. Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison in New York in 2020 for rape and sexual assault.