Weinstein guilty of rape, sexual assault
NEW YORK : Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of sexual assault by a New York jury on Monday, a victory for the #MeToo movement that inspired women to go public with misconduct allegations against powerful men.
Once one of Hollywood’s most powerful producers, Weinstein, 67, was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping Jessica Mann, a onetime aspiring actress, in 2013. He faces up to 25 years in prison.
He was acquitted on the most serious charge, predatory sexual assault, which carried a potential life sentence.
During his trial, Weinstein often appeared feeble, entering the courthouse using a walker. He sometimes leaned on his lead attorney, Donna Rotunno, for support. “He’s taken some good acting tips,” actress Rose McGowan said at the start of the trial on January 6 while staging a protest near the courthouse along with actress Rosanna and other Weinstein accusers. More than 80 women, including famous actresses, had accused him of sexual misconduct stretching back decades. He had denied the allegations and said any sexual encounters were consensual.
During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Weinstein as a serial predator who had manipulated women with promises to open doors in Hollywood, coaxing them to hotel rooms or private apartments and then overpowering and violently attacking them.