Anger of Weinstein’s victims – new appeal expected

Since 2020, 72-year-old Weinstein is serving a 23-year sentence in a New York prison. He was convicted of rape and sexual assault against two women, something that came to light in connection with the metoo movement in 2017.

On Thursday, the New York Supreme Court overturned the verdict. The jury believes that mistakes were made during the trial when, among other things, women who were not part of the prosecution were allowed to testify.

“The verdict is overturned and a new trial is ordered,” the jury wrote in a statement.

The court decision, which came after a jury vote that ended 4-3, was met with dejection and frustration by a group of Weinstein’s female victims.

“Survivors Everywhere”

“However, this verdict does not diminish the credibility of our experiences and our truth. We will continue to fight for justice for survivors everywhere,” they said in a joint statement.

The former film company executive will remain in prison until the new trial begins because he was also sentenced to prison by a Los Angeles court in 2022.

The overturned ruling was prompted by an appeal in a New York appeals court in February. Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer argued that his client had not received a fair trial. In particular, the defense has turned to the fact that three female witnesses, whose allegations were not part of the prosecution, were heard in court in connection with the trial in New York held between 2018 and 2020.

Transported to California

Weinstein will be transported to Los Angeles and remain incarcerated there pending a new trial. It is, however, unclear when the transport will take place as it may be relevant to questioning in New York first.

At the same time, Weinstein’s lawyers will also appeal the verdict in Los Angeles. Two years ago, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Los Angeles for further assault and rape of a woman.

Defense attorney Jennifer Bonjean says her client’s ability to prove his innocence in California was affected by the New York verdict. When the latter is now torn up, it should also affect the former, according to the defense.