Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood producer, is back in court.
A year after the New York Court of Appeals reversed the verdict against him for sexual crimes in this city, because, as it was announced at the time, his right to a fair trial was violated.
A New York court sentenced him to 23 years in prison in 2020, but Weinstein appealed.
At the start of his retrial on April 23, prosecutors accused him of using the enormous power he gained in Hollywood to sexually harass and abuse three women.
They became victims of abuse by the "Hollywood controller" who ruled the industry unfettered for more than thirty years, said Shannon Lucy, assistant district attorney.
"The defendant wanted their bodies and the more they resisted, the stronger he became," she said in the courtroom.
In his third trial in five years, Weinstein is accused of sexually assaulting former TV production assistant Miriam Haley, actress Jessica Mann and model Kaja Sokola, who claims he assaulted her when she was 16.
The former film mogul has denied any wrongdoing, and his defense attorney has sought to cast doubt on the women's claims and credibility.
The case will be "dropped" after hearing all the evidence, his lawyer Artur Eidala said.
"They'll ask you to understand things that just don't make sense," he added.
Harvey Weinstein will probably be in prison for the rest of his life.
More than 100 women have accused him of sexual harassment, assault and rape.
In February 2023 He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Los Angeles for rape and sexual assault in 2013.
He still has to serve that sentence.
- Revised verdict against Harvey Weinstein from 2020
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Shannon Lucy relayed three women's stories of assault and harassment, without providing all the details.
The alleged meetings were in his office, where Weinstein would invite them under the pretext of needing to talk about work, before he would allegedly assault them.
Victims were "silent" for years because of Weinstein's powerful role in Hollywood, Shannon Lucy said.
The former Hollywood producer's lawyer also claimed that the women "benefited" from sexual relations with Weinstein and were motivated by money.
"These women are addicted to this fame and want to be heroines," said Aydal's lawyer.
He also claims that his client could not have attacked them, because they remained in contact with him and sent him friendly messages even after they had seen each other.
The former Hollywood film mogul has several health problems, including cancer and diabetes.
The disgraced producer was previously sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault in 2020.
Court in New York found him guilty, but he appealed.
This ruling was a turning point for the movement. #MeToo (Me, Too), which encouraged women to speak out about widespread sexual assault and harassment in the film industry.
- The Weinstein trial - the scandal that made Hollywood say #MeToo
- Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison
- Producer Harvey Weinstein found guilty of rape and sexual assault
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