On Monday, the jury found Weinstein guilty of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree,the New York Timesreports. He was acquitted on three other charges.
Harvey Weinstein.Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Weinstein, 67, a producer behind 20 best-picture Oscar nominees — his five winners in the category includeShakespeare in Love, ChicagoandThe King’s Speech— had fiercely denied the allegations, countering that his sexual encounters with the two accusers in the New York case were consensual.
Harvey Weinstein.John Minchillo/AP/Shutterstock
Weinstein specifically was charged with two counts of rape, one count of criminal sexual act and two counts of predatory sexual assault. The jury found Weinstein guilty on two counts of criminal sexual assault, but not guilty on three others, including predatory sexual assault.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Weinstein’s lawyers, Donna Rotunno and Damon Cheronis, said, “While he was not convicted on the most serious charges, we are disappointed in the verdict and will be filing an appeal. There are issues in this trial that were extremely troubling, and they prejudiced Mr. Weinstein’s ability to have his case fairly judged.”
“…In the meantime, we are working on assuring that Mr. Weinstein is brought to Rikers’ Island ‘s North infirmary unit (NIU) at the Anna M Kross center complex or in protective custody so that he can get the best medical supervision and care possible.”
Harvey Weinstein in February.Seth Wenig/AP/Shutterstock
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Ahead of the New York trial, 25 women — not including those whose accusations were presented in court — issued a statement saying the trial was “critical to show that predatorseverywherewill be held accountable,” according toThe Washington Post.
“Thanks to the courage of so many women who risked everything to come forward — this ugly facade came down and [Weinstein] finally faced a public and professional reckoning for his actions,” said the statement.
Even as the New York trial began, theLos Angeles County District Attorney’s Officeon January 6 unsealed new charges there, accusing Weinstein of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents over a two-day period in 2013. He has not yet entered a plea to those allegations, which carry a separate penalty of 28 years in state prison if he is later convicted on those California charges.
Weinstein’s fall from grace was rapid.
Annabella Sciorra, left, and Harvey Weinstein.Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Venturelli/WireImage
Actresses who have spoken out about Weinstein includeRose McGowan,Annabella Sciorra,Gwyneth Paltrow,Angelina JolieandDaryl Hannah.
source: people.com
