Weinstein Heads to Court as Critical #MeToo Retrial Approaches
Alona Yadav | Mar 12, 2025, 17:16 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Harvey Weinstein is set to appear in court where crucial decisions will be made for his #MeToo retrial. The 72-year-old faces cancer and heart issues. This retrial features a new accuser who came forward just before his initial trial. Weinstein's previous conviction was overturned due to unfair inclusion of certain testimonies. His defense argues against the delayed additional charge.
Harvey Weinstein is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday where Judge Curtis Farber will issue key rulings that will shape the former movie mogul's upcoming #MeToo retrial.
The 72-year-old Weinstein, who faces significant health challenges including cancer and heart issues, is expected to be present as the judge decides on matters including the scope of accuser testimony and potential expert witnesses.
Set to begin April 15, the retrial comes nearly a year after New York's highest court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction on rape and sexual assault charges. During his January court appearance, Weinstein pleaded with Judge Farber to expedite the proceedings, telling the court: "I don't know how much longer I can hold on" while describing his deteriorating health and harsh conditions at Rikers Island.
The new trial will feature a streamlined version of the original case with one significant addition—a charge based on allegations from a woman who wasn't part of the first prosecution. This woman reportedly came forward to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office just days before Weinstein's first trial began.
Prosecutors say they initially didn't pursue these allegations after Weinstein was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, they revisited the case and secured a new indictment after the Court of Appeals threw out his conviction last April.
Weinstein's defense team, recently bolstered by the addition of Jennifer Bonjean—who has represented Bill Cosby and R. Kelly—argues that prosecutors prejudiced their client by waiting nearly five years to bring the additional charge. They suggest prosecutors deliberately held back this allegation so they could use it later if his conviction were overturned.
The former film producer continues to deny all allegations that he raped or sexually assaulted anyone.
A critical difference in the retrial will be the absence of testimony from women whose allegations weren't directly part of the criminal case. The Court of Appeals cited the inclusion of such testimony as a primary reason for vacating Weinstein's conviction, ruling that trial judge James M. Burke unfairly allowed this evidence.
While Weinstein's New York conviction was overturned, his 2022 Los Angeles rape conviction and 16-year sentence remain in effect. His lawyers appealed that conviction in June, arguing he did not receive a fair trial.
The 72-year-old Weinstein, who faces significant health challenges including cancer and heart issues, is expected to be present as the judge decides on matters including the scope of accuser testimony and potential expert witnesses.
Set to begin April 15, the retrial comes nearly a year after New York's highest court overturned Weinstein's 2020 conviction on rape and sexual assault charges. During his January court appearance, Weinstein pleaded with Judge Farber to expedite the proceedings, telling the court: "I don't know how much longer I can hold on" while describing his deteriorating health and harsh conditions at Rikers Island.
The new trial will feature a streamlined version of the original case with one significant addition—a charge based on allegations from a woman who wasn't part of the first prosecution. This woman reportedly came forward to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office just days before Weinstein's first trial began.
Prosecutors say they initially didn't pursue these allegations after Weinstein was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, they revisited the case and secured a new indictment after the Court of Appeals threw out his conviction last April.
Weinstein's defense team, recently bolstered by the addition of Jennifer Bonjean—who has represented Bill Cosby and R. Kelly—argues that prosecutors prejudiced their client by waiting nearly five years to bring the additional charge. They suggest prosecutors deliberately held back this allegation so they could use it later if his conviction were overturned.
The former film producer continues to deny all allegations that he raped or sexually assaulted anyone.
A critical difference in the retrial will be the absence of testimony from women whose allegations weren't directly part of the criminal case. The Court of Appeals cited the inclusion of such testimony as a primary reason for vacating Weinstein's conviction, ruling that trial judge James M. Burke unfairly allowed this evidence.
While Weinstein's New York conviction was overturned, his 2022 Los Angeles rape conviction and 16-year sentence remain in effect. His lawyers appealed that conviction in June, arguing he did not receive a fair trial.