California Appeals Court Upholds Weinstein Conviction, Orders New Sentencing

A California appeals court has upheld Harvey Weinstein's conviction for rape and sexual assault of an Italian model, but ordered a new sentencing hearing. He had originally been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

California Appeals Court Upholds Weinstein Conviction, Orders New Sentencing

A California appeals court on Friday upheld the 2022 conviction of former film producer Harvey Weinstein for raping and sexually assaulting an Italian model and actress, but ruled that his sentence must be reconsidered. The three-judge panel confirmed the lower court's guilty verdict while ordering a new sentencing phase. Weinstein had originally received a 16-year prison term.

The assault occurred during a film festival in Los Angeles, where the now 74-year-old producer attacked the woman in her hotel room. The identity of the victim remains protected. Weinstein has denied the allegations, as he has with other charges brought against him.

His defense attorneys argued on appeal that the woman gave false testimony and was not in her room at the time she claimed the assault took place. They also contended that the trial was flawed from the outset because jurors learned during jury selection about Weinstein's prior conviction in a New York case. According to the defense, this knowledge "infected" the entire proceeding.

The appeals panel unanimously ruled that the trial did not violate Weinstein's constitutional rights. The judges rejected attempts to undermine the jury's verdict on his guilt. Weinstein's legal representatives expressed disappointment with the decision and stated that the appeals process is not over.

During the original trial, prosecutors portrayed Weinstein as a serial predator who promised women career advancement in Hollywood only to lure them into hotel rooms or apartments where he allegedly overpowered and sexually assaulted them. More than one hundred women have brought accusations of rape, sexual assault, misconduct, and harassment against him.

The case against the former producer helped spark the MeToo social movement, which campaigns against sexual violence toward women.

Source: České noviny (ČTK) – https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/2844314

Source: Google News CZ — Crime (cs)