Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced former movie mogul, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on May 29, 2024, as he awaits a retrial on rape charges. His 2020 conviction was overturned, necessitating this new trial, which is tentatively scheduled for after Labor Day. The hearing addressed various legal issues, including the possibility of additional accusers testifying.
Nicole Blumberg, Manhattan’s Assistant District Attorney, stated that [1] some individuals who were not ready to testify in 2020 might now come forward. An exact date for the retrial is yet to be set, but it’s expected sometime after Labor Day.
Weinstein, who arrived in a wheelchair and sported a shaved head, signaled a thumbs-up to his colleagues as he was wheeled in by two security officers. During the hearing, Blumberg requested that Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, avoid making public statements about witnesses that could intimidate or discourage them from testifying. Last week, prosecutors alleged that Aidala had threatened Miriam Haley, one of Weinstein’s accusers, by saying he would intensely cross-examine her if she “dares to come and show her face here.” Aidala apologized if his words were perceived as intimidating but emphasized his duty to zealously defend Weinstein against what he described as undue attacks.
Aidala objected to the prosecution’s use of the term “survivors” to describe potential new witnesses, arguing that it was a “conclusionary term.” Judge Curtis Farber sustained the objection and urged both parties to avoid being influenced by media coverage, ensuring that the retrial remains “free from the court of public opinion.”
On April 25, New York’s highest court ruled in a 4-3 decision that the judge in Weinstein’s 2020 trial allowed testimony from too many women about allegations not part of the case. This ruling led to the overturning of Weinstein’s 23-year sentence. However, Weinstein remains in custody due to a 16-year sentence from a 2022 Los Angeles conviction for sexual assault. He rejected an extradition request to move him back to California and will stay in New York for the retrial.
James Woods commented on Twitter earlier this month, pointing out that while President Trump faces legal challenges during a national election, Weinstein’s conviction was overturned with minimal attention. This has raised questions about the consistency and visibility of high-profile legal proceedings in New York.
New York is waging lawfare against President Trump during a national election, but has quietly overturned Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction.
Not political though… pic.twitter.com/lb4V2uoFjv [2]
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) May 18, 2024 [3]
Jennifer Bonjean, who handles Weinstein’s California appeal, highlighted that the overturned New York conviction influenced the California jury’s perception during his trial there. The New York Court of Appeals noted that testimonies about Weinstein’s alleged bad behavior, which were not directly related to the charges, improperly swayed the jury.
Judge Jenny Rivera, in the court’s majority opinion, stated, “No person accused of illegality may be judged on proof of uncharged crimes that serve only to establish the accused’s propensity for criminal behavior.” She emphasized that allowing such untested allegations is an abuse of judicial discretion.
Weinstein’s next hearing is scheduled for July 9.