“It may sound exaggerated, but it’s not. “Today’s court decision is a great day for America because it instills in us the belief that there is a justice system,” Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidala announced today after the New York Court of Appeals rejected his lawsuit and overturned his client’s 2020 conviction and ordered a new trial.
“Whether it’s a former president of the United States or the most famous Hollywood producer of our generation, the law applies to everyone,” Aidala added on Thursday, just meters from the criminal courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place Now.
The New York Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s sex crimes conviction, which gave the Pulp Fiction producer a 23-year prison sentence four years ago, in what reads like a bitterly argued 4-3 ruling. Justice Jenny Rivera wrote in the majority opinion that now-former Justice James Burke “falsely admitted to unindicted testimony of alleged prior sexual conduct against persons other than the plaintiffs in the underlying crimes.”
The much-accused mini-mogul will not be released from New York state prison because he was convicted of another rape in LA in late 2022. Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison in the West Coast case.
As Weinstein’s defense team stood on the streets of New York rejoicing at their client’s latest fate, several survivors of Weinstein’s heinous misconduct criticized the appeals court’s decision
Anita Hill, Chair and President of the Hollywood Commission, on today’s decision regarding Harvey Weinstein.
“Today’s decision reinforces what we already know from our survey of over 13,000 entertainment workers. We have found that there is no progress in addressing the power imbalances that enable abuse and that sexual assault remains a pervasive problem. Many survivors do not seek justice because they believe nothing will be done. Today’s decision underscores the urgent need for systemic change in our institutions – and redoubles our commitment to survivors to push for policies and systems that ensure accountability and create workplaces free from the behaviors that necessitate these systems in the first place. ”
Silence breaker
“Today’s news is not only disheartening but also deeply unfair. But this judgment does not diminish the validity of our experiences or our truth; it is merely a setback. The man found guilty continues to serve his time in a California prison. When survivors everywhere broke their silence in 2017, the world changed. We remain strong and committed to this change. We will continue to fight for justice for survivors everywhere.”
Douglas H. Wigdor, who represented eight victims of Harvey Weinstein, including two of the Molineux witnesses in the New York criminal trial:
“Today’s decision is a major step backwards in holding those responsible for acts of sexual violence accountable. Courts routinely admit evidence of other non-indicted acts when they help jurors understand issues related to the defendant’s intent, course of action, or plan. The jury was informed of the relevance of this statement and the overturning of the verdict is tragic in that it will force another trial on the victims.”
Lindsay Goldbrum, an attorney at Outten & Golden LLP, has represented six victims of Harvey Weinstein, including Taralê Wulff, who testified during his criminal trial in New York that Weinstein sexually abused him. Goldbrum also represented several Weinstein victims in individual civil suits and in the settlement of their claims as part of a $17 million global settlement with The Weinstein Company.
“This ruling is a step backwards for the rule of law. In New York, Molineux witnesses play a crucial role in determining a defendant’s common plan or plan to commit alleged crimes. When a defendant is accused of being a sexual predator, especially one as powerful as Weinstein, the testimony of Molineux witnesses is critical to refuting the defense that sexual encounters were consensual.
“The three courageous women who testified as Molineux witnesses had nothing to gain personally from their participation in the trial. Her only goal was to give a voice to dozens of other women who have suffered so much. Today’s verdict unfortunately casts a dark shadow over her courage and will undoubtedly deter future victims of sexual assault from coming forward.
“To all victims of sexual assault who will be re-traumatized by today’s verdict, I am so sorry.”
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Statement from Elizabeth Fegan, managing partner of FeganScott and attorney who represented several women in the sexual abuse cases brought against Harvey Weinstein:
“I have spent the last half-decade of my legal career reviewing the evidence in the cases brought against Weinstein, and all survivor accounts of his sexual abuse demonstrate that the man deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. The New York Court of Appeals decision simply reflects that the rules of evidence govern when evidence is admissible. The decision says nothing about the truth of his abuse.
I am forever grateful to the Los Angeles District Attorney and the women who suffered tremendous emotional pain from reliving Weinstein’s sexual abuse in a second trial. Some thought the LA case was unnecessary given the New York verdict, but now we realize how important it was.
The California survivors were put in the firing line and experienced tremendous emotional pain as they relived Weinstein’s sexual abuse. They insisted that prosecutors in California should file charges regardless of New York’s appeal ruling to ensure Weinstein stays behind bars. We are pleased that the Los Angeles District Attorney has agreed. These courageous women sought justice not for themselves, but for all of Weinstein’s victims, including those in New York. Their determination ensures that Weinstein still lost and will spend the rest of his life in prison.”