Harvey Weinstein appeals conviction
April 6, 2021
Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein on Monday, April 5, asked a New York state appeals court to reject his conviction for sexual assault and rape and allow him a new trial. His lawyers have claimed that the trial judge made errors that denied him a fair jury.
Weinstein was convicted in February 2020 for assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann. He was later sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Among other grievances, Weinstein's lawyers have cited an allegedly biased juror, the alleged bias of the sitting judge, and the influence of "lurid media coverage" as grounds for a new trial.
Turning point
Weinstein's conviction last year marked a milestone in legal history. In the sensational case, the jury believed the testimonies of several women over Weinstein's protestations of innocence. It was considered a pivotal moment in the #MeToo movement against the sexual abuse and harassment of women.
Weinstein is currently being held in a maximum-security prison in New York state.
ba/als (Reuters/dpa)