A New York appellate court has upheld Harvey Weinstein’s conviction on sex crimes.
A New York appeals court has upheld Harvey Weinstein’s conviction on rape and sexual assault charges, rejecting arguments that the trial judge effectively rigged the outcome in favor of the prosecution.
In a unanimous ruling issued on Thursday, a five-justice appellate panel found that the judge did not make errors that would warrant overturning the conviction or the 23-year sentence.
Weinstein’s Response
Weinstein has maintained his innocence and denied all allegations against him since they first emerged, sparking the #MeToo movement and encouraging women to speak out and share their own experiences with sexual abuse and misconduct.
His appeal was filed last April, about one year after he was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape.
In a motion filed last year, Weinstein’s attorneys argued the disgraced Hollywood mogul’s 2020 conviction should be reversed because his trial was tainted for several reasons, most notably a biased judge and juror.
The Weinstein Case
The 70-year-old former Hollywood mogul was sentenced in New York to 23 years in prison, effectively guaranteeing he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. He still faces criminal allegations in Los Angeles.
According to CNN, “In the New York case, he was ultimately convicted largely based on testimony by Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann. Haley testified that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006 at his Manhattan apartment, and Mann testified that he raped her in 2013 during what she described as an abusive relationship. He was found not guilty of predatory sexual assault and one count of first-degree rape.”
Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP is prepared to help you get justice. Call our New York Sexual Abuse and Assault Lawyers for a confidential case review today.
