Prosecutors working on Harvey Weinstein’s upcoming retrial have announced that additional women are now willing to testify, potentially resulting in more sexual assault allegations against the former film producer. Assistant District Court Attorney Nicole Blumberg revealed that several women, who were not ready to speak during Weinstein’s 2020 trial, are now prepared to share their experiences. These new testimonies include incidents of rape in Manhattan, characterized by violent and trauma-informed occurrences, as reported by Variety.
Weinstein’s retrial in New York was assigned after a 4-3 decision by the state’s highest court, which ruled that the judge in his 2020 rape trial had allowed too many women to testify, leading to the reversal of his 23-year sentence. The prosecution aims for a trial in November, while the defense is pushing for an earlier date. Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, has accused the prosecution of intentionally delaying the case, but Blumberg denies any stalling, emphasizing their efforts to gather witnesses.
Weinstein’s health issues, including heart and lung problems, spinal stenosis, eye issues, and high diabetes levels, were highlighted by Aidala, noting that the former producer was in a wheelchair during a 2022 hearing in Los Angeles. Despite being a convict with a 16-year sentence in Los Angeles, Weinstein remains in New York, refusing to return for another trial. His California lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, argued that the jury’s decision was influenced by Weinstein’s New York conviction, a point the New York Court of Appeals disagreed with, leading to the overturned conviction. Judge Jenny Rivera emphasized that uncharged crimes should not influence a defendant’s character judgment.
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