Harvey WeinsteinThe 2020 rape conviction was overturned, four years after he was found guilty of sexual assault and rape.
Weinstein, 72, was first accused in 2017 of decades of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women. The disgruntled film producer vehemently denied all allegations before checking himself into a treatment facility. A year later, Weinstein turned himself in to the police because of allegations related to an actress Lucia Evans and a second unknown woman. During his trial in February 2020, Weinstein pleaded not guilty to the rape charges. However, a jury found him guilty and Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Weinstein later went on trial in December 2022 on additional sexual assault charges in Los Angeles and again pleaded not guilty. He was found guilty of three charges of rape and assault and sentenced by a judge in February 2023 to an additional 16 years in prison.
When Weinstein went to prison, his legal team appealed the court’s 2020 ruling. The New York Court of Appeals overturned the ruling 4-3 on Thursday, April 25, claiming that the previous court figures were biased.
“Today’s decision is a big step backwards when it comes to holding those responsible for acts of sexual violence accountable,” the lawyer said Douglas H. Wigdorwho represented eight of Weinstein’s victims, said Us weekly in a statement. “Courts routinely admit evidence of other unindicted acts when helping 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.”
Keep scrolling to learn all about the Weinstein overturn and its implications:
Why was Harvey Weinstein on trial in 2020?
The 2020 lawsuit was the first sexual assault trial against Weinstein. He was accused of rape, but he denied the allegations.
What was the verdict in the Harvey Weinstein trial in 2020?
Weinstein was found guilty of one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree rape and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Despite the conviction, his legal team appealed to the New York Court of Appeals.
What does it mean that the verdict has been overturned?
In simple terms, a judgment is overturned when a court disagrees with a lower court’s decision. In the Weinstein case, the first verdict was made in the New York court. The appeal was made to a higher court.
Chris Brown isn’t the only celebrity to have faced a judge. See more stars in court like Taylor Swift, Lindsay Lohan and more.
Why did the appeals court vote to overturn Harvey Weinstein’s conviction?
The appeal judges concluded that the original judge made “outrageous” and inappropriate decisions, including admitting testimony that was not mentioned in the lawsuit. Judge Madeline Singas also stated that the majority “glossed over the facts to fit a he said/she said narrative” and that the appeal continued a “disturbing trend of overturning jury guilty verdicts in sexual violence cases.”
What does the appeal against Harvey Weinstein’s prison sentence mean?
Weinstein is currently serving his 23-year sentence in a New York prison and will remain incarcerated as he is sentenced on additional charges in 2022.
If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, reach out National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).