The disgraced mogul finds himself back in criminal court as prosecutors look into new sexual assault claims.
Prosecutors are investigating new sexual assault claims from additional women in the Harvey Weinstein case.
As more women come forward with new sexual assault allegations, prosecutors are looking to a possible new indictment against Weinstein. On Tuesday, Assistant ADA Nicole Blumberg said prosecutors have not summoned a jury but they are investigating a “violent matter” that occurred in Manhattan. Blumberg said the matter is believed to be within the statute of limitations. There are plans to proceed with a trial in November.
Blumberg said during a May 29 hearing that prosecutors may issue a new indictment against Weinstein as more women may come out against the mogul. Weinstein’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, pushed back against what he believed was a delay tactic. He notes that Weinstein is suffering in his current environment due to staying in solitary confinement all day.
According to a letter from a doctor, Weinstein suffers from fluid in his heart and lungs, macular degeneration in his eyes as well as high blood sugars related to his diabetes. He pushes for a speedy trial, aiming for it to start in September.
Blumberg notes that it wasn’t a delaying tactic, saying:
“There were a number of women who came forward to indicate that they were raped by the defendant … Some of those women are now ready to proceed.”
Weinstein attended Tuesday’s hearing, being brought in on a wheelchair while wearing a blue suit. Jessica Mann, who brought claims against the mogul in the first trial, also attended Tuesday’s hearing — she sat in the gallery with prosecutors.
All parties, including Weinstein, are due back in court on July 19. A temporary protective order was issued, barring Weinstein’s attorneys from sharing certain evidence with their client for the time being.
In April, the New York State Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s rape conviction from 2020. The court ruled the judge in the New York Country trial prejudiced Weinstein with improper rulings. The judge had also allowed women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case.
At the original trial, Weinstein was found guilty of criminal assault in the first degree, based on the testimony of Miriam Haley, a former “Project Runway” production assistant, and rape in the third degree, based on the testimony of aspiring actress Jessica Mann.
Weinstein was later sentenced to 23 years in prison.
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