Harvey Weinstein at a Manhattan court. Jefferson Siegel for The New York Times
The disgraced Hollywood producer whose downfall propelled the #MeToo movement is back in a New York courtroom. That’s because New York’s top court overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction for rape and a criminal sexual act. What happens now? I asked Hurubie Meko, who is covering his new trial for The Times. — Adam B. Kushner
Why is Harvey Weinstein on trial again?
New York’s Court of Appeals said Weinstein had been deprived of a fair trial, because several women accused him of doing bad things to them even though they were not named in the charges against him. Now he’s being retried — this time with a new indictment.
The charges are different this time?
Yes, partly. A jury convicted Weinstein of rape and a criminal sexual act but acquitted him on three other charges, including accusations that he was a sexual predator. On those acquittals, he can’t be retried. This case is about sexual crimes against three women (two from before, plus a new one). They, but no other victims, will testify about Weinstein’s behavior toward them.
Could he get out of prison if he wins this case?
No. Weinstein was also convicted in California on sex-crime charges and sentenced to 16 years there. (He is appealing.) If he is acquitted in New York, he’ll begin his prison sentence there.