Former Hollywood producer kingpin Harvey Weinstein returned to court in New York on Wednesday to face one of his accusers and prosecutors determined to win a new guilty verdict after his rape and sexual assault convictions were roundly overturned.
The all-powerful former American cinema producer, 72, appeared shrunken, pushed in a wheelchair in a Manhattan courtroom, where he smiled and greeted a few supporters.
An insult to the MeToo movement
Still in custody as he faces 16 years in prison in Los Angeles in 2023 for rape and sexual assault, it is the first time he has returned to justice since an appeals court overturned his 23-year sentence last week. in New York in 2020.
The reversal was seen as an insult and a step backwards for the #MeToo movement against sexist violence against women, as revelations of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault in 2017 sent global shockwaves and freed many victims.
Symbol
Sitting in the courtroom was Jessica Mann, one of the two accusers against whom Harvey Weinstein was convicted in the first trial.
“We believe in this case, that’s why Jessica Mann is here today,” Manhattan prosecutor Nicole Blumberg said.
“We have every reason to believe that the accused will be found guilty again,” added the deputy public prosecutor.
New hearing on May 29
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidala recalled during the hearing that at the time his client was “acquitted of the most serious charges”, especially the aggravating circumstance of “predatory” behavior.
He asked for his client’s release, which was denied by Judge Curtis Farber, who adjourned the case for several months, until after Labor Day, Sept. 4, and without setting a specific date. Meanwhile, a new procedural hearing is scheduled for May 29.
The former producer was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013.