Predator facing a new trial for rape
Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein faced one of his accusers in New York court as he was told he would be retried for rape and sexual assault convictions that were overturned in the state.
His 2020 conviction for raping former actor Jessica Mann, who was in the front row of the courtroom’s public gallery and mere feet from Weinstein, was overturned by New York’s highest court last week on a legal technicality.
Weinstein was visibly frail as he was wheeled into the Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday flanked by his lawyers, smiling and waving at supporters as he was pushed in a wheelchair.
“We believe in this case … to that end Jessica Mann is in court today,” said prosecutor Nicole Blumberg. “She is committed to seeing justice served once again. We have every belief that the defendant will be convicted again at trial.”
But Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidala insisted “he was acquitted of the most serious counts”, accusing the prosecutor in the original New York trial of perjuring herself.
Weinstein’s legal team had sought bail pending any retrial, but Judge Curtis Farber rejected that, remanding him pending a retrial in September.
The next hearing in the case would be on May 29 to handle discovery issues, Judge Farber said, adding that “we anticipate a trial schedule some date after Labor Day (September 2)”.
Outside court, Mr Aidala said Weinstein “hasn’t had any fights or altercations” in prison, adding: “He was used to drinking champagne and eating caviar – now he’s buying chips in the commissary.”
Weinstein was convicted of the rape of Ms Mann in 2013, and of forcibly performing oral sex on production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
New York’s highest court ruled the trial judge erred in admitting the testimony of women who were allegedly abused by Weinstein but who were not named in the charges brought against him.