Harvey Weinstein's Retrial on Rape Charges Set for April 15 in New York
The former Hollywood mogul, convicted in 2020, seeks earlier trial date citing health concerns.
Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein will face retrial on rape charges in New York on April 15, a judge confirmed on Wednesday. The retrial follows the overturning of Weinstein’s 2020 conviction, which originally sentenced him to 23 years in prison.
Weinstein, 72, was convicted in 2020 for the third-degree rape of one woman and a first-degree criminal sex act against another. However, in April 2022, a state appeals court ruled that the trial judge had improperly allowed the testimony of women with allegations unrelated to the case, leading to the decision to overturn the conviction.
In September, Weinstein was indicted by a New York City grand jury on new charges, including a fresh accusation from a woman who claims he forced oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel in 2006. This new charge will be part of the retrial, presided over by State Judge Curtis Farber.
Weinstein, who is currently being held at Rikers Island jail, appeared in court Wednesday in a wheelchair due to ongoing health issues. He has been battling chronic myeloid leukemia, as reported by NBC News.
During the court hearing, Weinstein requested an earlier trial date due to his declining health. "I can't hold on anymore," he told the judge. "I am holding on because I want justice. I want this to be over with."
Judge Farber acknowledged Weinstein’s request but explained that another trial was already scheduled. However, he indicated a possible adjustment to accommodate an earlier date if all parties agreed. The judge also rejected a motion from Weinstein’s attorney to dismiss the new indictment.
A spokesperson for Weinstein expressed appreciation for the judge’s consideration of his condition, adding that they remained confident in a fair and swift trial process. "We firmly believe that Harvey will be fully exonerated," the spokesperson said.
In addition to the New York case, Weinstein was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 on charges of rape and sexual assault, receiving a 16-year sentence. His legal team is currently appealing that conviction.
To date, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual assault or harassment, claims he has consistently denied, maintaining that the encounters were consensual. The allegations, first reported in 2017 by The New York Times and The New Yorker, were pivotal in sparking the #MeToo movement and reshaping discussions around sexual misconduct in various industries.