Harvey Weinstein appeals sexual assault conviction

The former film producer Harvey Weinstein, sentenced in March 2020 to 23 years in prison for sexual assault and imprisoned since, appealed Monday April 5 of this sentence, believing that his rights of defense have not been respected.

Read also: Harvey Weinstein sentenced to a heavy sentence

In an appeal to the New York State Supreme Court, his lawyers argue that several women were allowed to testify at trial about alleged assaults against Harvey Weinstein, even though the facts put forward were time barred or insufficiently substantiated to be able to be prosecuted, according to the defense.

Six women had testified for the prosecution at the high-profile New York trial, claiming the ex-Hollywood mogul sexually assaulted them.

If Harvey Weinstein was accused of harassment or sexual assault by nearly 90 women, he was however only prosecuted for two assaults during the hearings: a rape of an aspiring actress, Jessica Mann, in 2013, and a forced cunnilingus on a former production assistant, Mimi Haleyi, in 2006. In their 166-page long appeal, Harvey Weinstein's lawyers also argue that one of the jurors, author of a book on men with predatory behavior on young people women, had compromised the supposed impartiality of the jury.

A possible trial in California

They also deplored not being able to call their expert in sexual assault to the bar, even though the defense had been able to quote Barbara Ziv.

While the two victims continued to have relations with Harvey Weinstein after their assaults, this doctor had explained at length to jurors that victims of sexual assault often continued to date their attacker.

The defense also affirms that the judge imposed on the ex-producer, with a clean criminal record until then, an

sentence

because of his fame and the media coverage of the case.

Harvey Weinstein was finally convicted of rape and sexual assault in February 2020, in a verdict seen as a resounding victory for the #MeToo movement.

Read also: The Weinstein trial ends in confusion

The 69-year-old ex-producer, incarcerated in a high-security prison in upstate New York, has also been charged with rape and sexual assault of five women by the Los Angeles attorney's office.

A hearing to find out whether he should be extradited to answer these charges is scheduled for April 12.