Harvey Weinstein had reason to celebrate when his 2020 sexual assault conviction was reversed. The disgraced Hollywood producer appealed against one of his convictions in New York and was successful.
Will Harvey Weinstein be released after New York conviction lift?
In 2020 Harvey Weinstein was found guilty and convicted of sex crimes in New York. A New York court ruled that the conviction should be lifted because women who were not a part of the charges were allowed to testify and provide evidence. They relied on prior bad acts as evidence which is considered unfair.
The New York court’s conviction was before a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of sexual assault and gave him 16 years on top of his 23 years from New York. Harvey will remain in jail for his Los Angeles conviction.
How does Harvey Weinstein New York case affect LA case?
Harvey’s legal team is confident that the New York quotes ruling will have some sort of effect as they turn their attention to the LA conviction. According to The Guardian, the legal team will argue unfairness because the jury was allowed to hear uncharged allegations of sexual assault.
The descending opinion by Judge Madeline Singas for the New York court’s judgment argued that’s the decision was repeating a pattern which perpetuates outdated notions of sexual violence. The judge said they were playing into “he said, she said” arguments. Judge Singas insisted that the majority’s approach was following practices which allow predators to escape accountability.
Harvey Weinstein and Me Too movement
Harvey’s name was closely linked to the “Me Too” movement and was referred to as the #MeToo trial. Many have seen the overturning of Harvey’s case as a setback for #MeToo since the Hollywood big wig’s downfall was the main focus. Netizens felt that it was ridiculous to overturn the conviction due to character evidence. Read people’s reactions:
“Me trying to understand how they overturned the Harvey Weinstein case because they used ‘too much old mean evidence’.”
“So Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction was overturned. In case you thought there was a shred of justice left in this world.”
“Harvey Weinstein will have a retrial because evidence given by other accusers meant he didn’t have a fair trial. Whilst white rich men use the courts to appeal and relitigate rape cases, survivors have no right to appeal. Where’s the fair trial for victims?”
“Sorry sorry… did I just read that right? Harvey Weinstein has his conviction overturned because his lawyers have said there was too much bad character evidence and too many women came forward with their own experiences? Spare me. Honest to God. The state of this legal system.”
@Strandjunker
“Everyone knew about Harvey Weinstein. Everyone knew about R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, and Jeffrey Epstein. Everyone knew about the Catholic priests. Everyone knew about Donald Trump. I’m so tired of people protecting the rich, keeping their dark secrets for decades. So damn tired.”