Harvey Weinstein has been found guilty on one count of sexual assault in a retrial in New York, after his previous conviction was overturned last year. The verdict marks the culmination of a six-week trial that featured testimony from three women who accused Weinstein of using his power to sexually abuse them.
Weinstein was convicted by a unanimous jury of assaulting former television production assistant Miriam Haley, but found not guilty on another count involving model Kaja Sokola. The jury remains undecided on a rape charge against actress Jessica Mann.
The conviction is the latest in a long list of Weinstein’s sex crimes convictions, including a 16-year sentence imposed after his earlier conviction in Los Angeles. The trial centered on the allegations made by Haley, Mann, and Sokola, who all claimed that Weinstein used his power to force himself on them during private meetings at hotels and his homes.
Weinstein’s legal team had argued that his encounters with the women were consensual, but the jury rejected this claim. The verdict is a significant blow to the #MeToo movement, which has galvanized support for survivors of sex abuse by powerful men.
Weinstein’s accusers have faced significant backlash and criticism over the years, including from Weinstein himself, who accused some of them of lying or exaggerating their experiences. However, the latest conviction demonstrates that justice is being served in many cases, with Weinstein likely to spend the rest of his life in prison as a result of the California conviction.
The decision by Weinstein’s accusers to come forward and speak out against him has been widely praised, with many survivors crediting them with helping to reclaim their power and confidence. The verdict marks an important milestone in the ongoing fight against sex abuse by powerful men, and serves as a reminder that victims of sexual assault will be heard and held accountable.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn7z3gezdjro