Harvey Weinstein Faces #MeToo Retrial in New York

Introduction:
Five years after Harvey Weinstein was convicted of rape and taken to jail in handcuffs, the former movie mogul is returning to court for a fresh trial covering the same allegations — plus one that hasn’t been tried before.

New Trial Following #MeToo Verdict Reversal:
The trial comes a year after a New York appeals court overturned the landmark #MeToo verdict. The court threw out Weinstein’s convictions and 23-year prison sentence and ordered a new trial after finding that the original one was tainted by "egregious" judicial rulings and prejudicial testimony.

Jury Selection and Trial Details:

• Jury selection starts on Tuesday, with opening statements and testimony expected next week.
• Judge Curtis Farber said that in addition to 12 jurors, six alternates will be picked. Prosecutors expect the retrial to last a month.

  Allegations and Charges:
  Weinstein, 73, faces charges involving two women from his original trial in 2020, Jessica Mann and Miriam Haley, and he’s being tried for the first time on an allegation from a woman who wasn’t in the first case. He has pleaded not guilty and denies that he raped or sexually assaulted anyone.

  Specific Charges from Original Trial:
  Weinstein is being retried on two charges from his original trial: one count of criminal sex act for allegedly forcibly performing oral sex on a movie and TV production assistant in 2006 and one count of third-degree rape for allegedly assaulting an aspiring actor in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013.

  Testimonies from Previous Trial:

• Haley, a former production assistant on the Weinstein-produced Project Runway, testified at the 2020 trial that he pushed her onto a bed at his Manhattan apartment in June 2006 and forced oral sex on her.
• Mann, who saw Weinstein as a "pseudo father" figure, testified that he trapped her in a hotel room in March 2013, ordered her to undress, and raped her. She alleges that Weinstein raped her again eight months later at a Beverly Hills hotel.

  Additional Charge and Contention:
  Weinstein is also charged with one count of criminal sex act for allegedly forcing oral sex on a different woman at a Manhattan hotel in 2006. Prosecutors said that the woman came forward just days before the start of Weinstein’s first trial but was not part of that case. Weinstein’s lawyers argue that prosecutors shouldn’t have waited nearly five years to bring the additional charge.

  Court’s Decision and Reversal:
  In the 4-3 decision in favor of Weinstein last year, New York’s Court of Appeals criticized the handling of the original trial, stating that Weinstein was denied a fully fair trial. Issues included allowing testimony about allegations not part of the case and the confrontation over Weinstein’s history of behavior if he had testified.

  Conclusion:
  The retrial of Harvey Weinstein in New York marks a significant moment in the #MeToo movement and the ongoing fight against sexual assault. The outcome of this trial will not only impact Weinstein’s future but will also have broader implications for how the justice system addresses cases of sexual misconduct.

  FAQs:

• What are the charges against Harvey Weinstein in the retrial?
• Why was the original #MeToo verdict against Harvey Weinstein overturned?
• How long is the retrial expected to last?
• Who are the key witnesses in the retrial proceedings?

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