The convicted rapist, who’s already serving 23 years in jail in New York, has been introduced throughout the nation to face additional intercourse crime fees within the metropolis the place he as soon as presided over large movie offers.
The 69-year-old Weinstein — who might face a further 140 years in jail if convicted on all counts — was current to listen to the newest fees in opposition to him within the downtown courtroom, slumped in a wheelchair and carrying a brown jumpsuit and ill-fitting blue masks.
“He completely, unequivocally and categorically denies the allegations on this indictment… they’re unprovable, unproven, un-credible and unsubstantiated,” his lawyer Mark Werksman advised reporters outdoors the courthouse.
Weinstein is accused of sexually assaulting 5 girls in Los Angeles between 2004 and 2013, when former actress Lauren Younger alleges the “Pulp Fiction” producer attacked her in a Beverly Hills resort.
Younger has already appeared as a witness within the New York case that led to Weinstein’s current conviction — seen as a landmark for the #MeToo motion — which he’s interesting at a later date.
The opposite Los Angeles fees in opposition to Weinstein from girls who haven’t been named in public date again so far as 2004.
The statute of limitations has expired on additional allegations of rape in opposition to Weinstein within the movie business capital way back to 1977.
The circumstances comply with an identical sample of Weinstein allegedly attacking girls — many aspiring Hollywood stars — in resort rooms round Beverly Hills and west Los Angeles.
Weinstein has mentioned all his sexual encounters had been consensual.
– Fallen Hollywood titan – In complete, practically 90 girls together with Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Salma Hayek have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or assault.
Wednesday’s listening to was largely held behind closed doorways, with journalists admitted for a short conclusion.
In the course of the listening to, Weinstein’s lawyer Werksman referred to as for 3 of the costs relationship again so far as 2004 to be dropped because the statute of limitations had expired.
He additionally requested Weinstein be granted a medical analysis — which Choose Tapia granted.
Werksman advised reporters after that Weinstein is unable to stroll as a result of a spinal situation, and that his shopper’s “bodily situation has degraded.”
The Los Angeles accusations “stem from a few years in the past” and can’t “be substantiated or corroborated by any forensic proof, any contemporaneous reporting, any credible witnesses,” he added.
For Weinstein’s New York conviction, prosecutors offered no forensic proof or third-party witness accounts, their case as an alternative resting on asking the jury to imagine the ladies.
– ‘Entry to justice’ – Gloria Allred, who represents a number of Weinstein accusers, mentioned it was necessary that alleged victims in Los Angeles additionally get “entry to justice” and “have their day in court docket.”
“There are a lot of, many sacrifices made by these individuals who’re victims,” she advised reporters.
Earlier than the allegations in opposition to Weinstein emerged in 2017, he and his brother Bob had already left an indelible mark on Hollywood.
They co-founded Miramax Films, a small distribution firm named after his mom Miriam and father Max, in 1979. It was bought to Disney in 1993.
Their hits included 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love,” for which Weinstein shared a greatest image Oscar. Over time, Weinstein’s movies obtained greater than 300 Oscar nominations and 81 statuettes.
On the finish of the open a part of Wednesday’s listening to, throughout which a notably pale Weinstein sat silently, cuffed to his chair, the choose wished the previous Tinseltown titan “good luck.”
Weinstein appeared to thank the choose, his mouth obscured and voice muffled by his masks.
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