Why is Harvey Weinstein going to trial again? Everything to know about the overturning of disgraced Hollywood mogul's original conviction

Jury Selection Begins In Harvey Weinstein Trial - Source: Getty
Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan court as jury selection begins for his retrial on rape and assault charges. (Image via Getty/Steven Hirsch-Pool)

Former film producer, Harvey Weinstein, goes to trial for his alleged s*x crimes once again.

The disgraced mogul, 73, will be retried soon as jury selection kicks off this Tuesday in Manhattan, New York. ABC News has reported that the process could take up to five days. One of the most prolific figures in Hollywood must now confront allegations that he s*xually assaulted three different women.

In the original conviction, which came at the height of the #MeToo era, Weinstein was convicted of s*xual criminal assault in the first degree and r*ape in the third degree. However, he was acquitted of three other counts, including predatory s*xual assault, and sentenced to 23 years behind bars.

His case is now being overturned by New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, citing improper rulings and prejudicial testimony in the original trial in 2020. The ruling now gives Weinstein another chance to fight the charges and to do so amid a less charged environment than during his first trial.


Everything we know about Harvey Weinstein's case as he prepares to face trial—again

According to ABC News, Harvey Weinstein's lawyers are hoping that the new political environment can bring about a different outcome in his second trial than his first. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all the charges he faces, including one that stems from a woman who came forward after he was convicted.

Producer Miriam Haley claimed Weinstein forcibly performed oral s*x on her in 2006 while then-aspiring actor, Jessica Mann, claimed he forced himself on her in 2013. The latest of the claims stems from a woman who alleges Weinstein forcibly assaulted her in a hotel room in Manhattan in the same way and year as Haley.

According to NPR, Weinstein is currently being detained at Riker's Island as he awaits trial, though he has had several stays at Bellevue Hospital. He recently underwent treatment for bone marrow cancer, and just last year, had to receive emergency heart surgery.

NPR has further reported that he attended last week's hearing in a wheelchair, but he seemed to be lively and alert. He was reportedly able to answer Judge Farber's questions and confer with his legal counsel.

Farber is now planning to ask prospective jurors if they know of the allegations against Weinstein and if they can cast away their previous biases to render a fair decision based on evidence.

Harvey Weinstein himself has been courting conservative supporters, as reported by The Guardian. Just last week, he said:

“I want to take a moment to sincerely thank Candace Owens for believing in me and helping me reach millions of new supporters, and to Joe Rogan for amplifying that support even further."

Owens has been sympathetic towards Harvey Weinstein, despite referring to him as an "immoral man" in the past. She even questioned the prosecutor's motives during a livestream this past February.

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Edited by Amey Mirashi