Weinstein prosecutors urge jurors to convict ‘predator’
>>NEW YORK: Harvey Weinstein was a “predator” who used his status as a Hollywood producer to take advantage of the women he attacked, prosecutors said on Friday as his sex crimes trial drew to a close.
The disgraced movie mogul, 67, faces life in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault charges in the high-profile trial that marks a watershed moment in the #MeToo global reckoning against men abusing positions of power.
Weinstein believed he was “the master of his universe, and the witnesses were really ants who he could step on without consequences”, said assistant district attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon in closing arguments.
Six women took the stand to say the ex-Miramax Films boss had sexually assaulted them, but the jury is considering charges related to just two: ex-actress Jessica Mann and former production assistant Mimi Haleyi.
Ms Mann says Weinstein raped her in March 2013, while Ms Haleyi alleges he forcibly performed oral sex on her in July 2006. Ms Illuzzi-Orbon argued that the six women who testified had “no motive to lie”.
On Thursday, defence attorney Donna Rotunno argued the women had used sex with Weinstein to advance their careers, saying they only decided they had been assaulted after Weinstein became a global pariah when allegations against him ignited #MeToo in October 2017.
The trial has raised complicated issues surrounding consent and abuse of power. Under cross-examination, both Ms Mann and Ms Haleyi acknowledged at least one consensual sexual encounter with Weinstein after the alleged assaults.
The defence has presented emails that appear to show Ms Mann on friendly terms with Weinstein. “The truth leaves a paper trail,” said Ms Rotunno in her closing arguments on Thursday.