Last Thursday, New York's highest court revoked the conviction for sexual crimes imposed in 2020 on Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. This decision has generated a stir in the film industry and in public opinion in general.
The chronology of this case goes back years, when several women began to publicly denounce the alleged sexual abuse committed by Weinstein. These accusations sparked a global movement in against sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry.
The milestones that mark the course of the case
- In October 2017, The New York Times published an extensive investigation detailing multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault by Harvey Weinstein, spanning three decades.
Among the most prominent accusers are actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan. The investigation also revealed Weinstein's financial agreements with at least eight women to keep the abuse secret.
- A few days later, the board of directors of the film production company Weinstein Company, run by Weinstein and his brother Bob, was forced to fire him.
(Read more: Actress Julia Ormond sues Harvey Weinstein and Disney for sexual assault in 1995).
On another front, the Italian actress and filmmaker Asia Argento shared with The New Yorker magazine that Weinstein raped her in 1997being supported by two more women who accused him of sexual assault.
- Support for the allegations continued when actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rosanna Arquette joined the list of women accusing Weinstein of harassment.
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in charge of the Oscars, took a drastic measure by voting to expel Weinstein, whose productions They had been awarded with more than 80 statuettes.
- As the weeks progressed, more women felt encouraged to publicly share their experiences of abuse at the hands of Weinstein, whether through social media or in front of television cameras.
I open a thread 🧵🪡 about the Weinstein Effect, better known as #MeToo
I will explain who Harvey Weinstein “the God of Hollywood” is, the effects of the movement and what happened to his 23-year prison sentence for sexual abuse
Join me 💁🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/Tke2op1cMa
— La Marla Sabrina (@lamarlasabrina) April 26, 2024
The case escalates to the legal field
- The Manhattan prosecutor's office is charging Harvey Weinstein with first- and third-degree rape of former actress Jessica Mann. whose identity has not yet been revealed, which occurred in 2013.
- In a scene marked by the presence of a swarm of journalists and photographers, Weinstein appears before a judge and a Manhattan court after turning himself in to the authorities.
- His then-attorney, Ben Brafman, manages to negotiate a bail of one million dollars.
- Prosecutors expand the charges by adding a “forced” sexual act in July 2006 against another woman, production assistant Mimi Haleyi.
- Prosecutors later file a new indictment allowing “Sopranos” actress Annabella Sciorra to testify at trial. Sciorra says Weinstein raped her during the winter of 1993-94.
(Continue reading: The conviction against Harvey Weinstein for sexual abuse in New York is annulled: these are the reasons).
Although the statute of limitations has already passed, prosecutors hope his testimony will help persuade the jury of Weinstein's predatory nature.
- Weinstein reaches an out-of-court settlement for $25 million with more than 30 actresses who accuse him of sexual harassment and abuse, in a class civil lawsuit unrelated to the criminal process.
- Under the terms of the agreement, Weinstein is not required to admit any guilt.
Harvey Weinstein's conviction has just been overturned.
Keep saying that we are “exaggerated” when we say that the system defends rapists. He #MeToo was a global phenomenon that told women they could speak up. Today justice says “you better shut up.” pic.twitter.com/xy0gZkTxwJ
— Jacarandas | Abortion and Feminism (@SomosJacarandas) April 25, 2024
Harvey Weinstein's conviction
Harvey Weinstein is annulled
- In an unexpected reversal, New York state's highest court overturns the conviction of Harvey Weinstein for sexual crimes in 2020 in a 4-3 vote on April 25.
- The Court of Appeals identifies errors in the conduct of the trial, including the admission of testimony from women who were not related to the charges brought against Weinstein.
(Can see: What will happen to Harvey Weinstein after his conviction in New York is overturned? ).
The ruling states: “Order revoked and new trial”and states that “allegations of prior conduct cannot be admitted against (the defendants) for the sole purpose of demonstrating their criminal tendency.”
- A victims' group calls the overturning of the former film producer's conviction “deeply unjust” and announces its commitment to “continue fighting for justice for survivors around the world.”
- Next steps for Weinstein who is currently being held at the Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome (New York), are not yet defined.
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*This content was made with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from El Universal México (GDA), and was reviewed by the journalist and an editor.
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