Image copyright Reuters Opening arguments have begun in the trial in New York of ex-movie mogul, Harvey Weinstein, who could face life behind bars if convicted. The – year- old denies five charges, including rape and sexual assault, relating to two accusers.
Prosecutor Meghan Hast said: “The man seated right there was not just a titan in Hollywood, he was a rapist. “
The defense will argue the encounters with the two accusers were consensual and Mr Weinstein committed no crimes.
The trial is expected to conclude in early March .
Weinstein arrived at the Manhattan court flanked by several members of his team. When asked by a reporter if he could get a fair trial, he replied: “Of course.”
Once one of Hollywood’s most decorated and lauded producers, Mr Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than (women – allegations which helped drive
the #MeToo movement. , however, a few of the complaints have led to criminal charges.
Last week, a judge told potential jurors that they must decide Mr Weinstein’s case based on the evidence and not make it “a referendum on the #MeToo movement”.
What were the prosecution’s opening arguments ? Ms Hast, the Manhattan assistant district attorney, said that the evidence would show Mr Weinstein was a “sexual predator and a rapist”.
She said the defendant had used “his power and prestige in the entertainment industry to ensure [accusers’] silence … Although they’re strangers to one another, they’ll each describe to you their shame and humiliation following their violent encounters with the defendant. “
Ms Hast gave explicit details of allegations by three women, only two of whom are on the charge sheet. The third is actress Annabella Sciorra. Her alleged incident occurred too long ago to be prosecuted under New York state law, but prosecutors filed the indictment because it would allow them to call her as a witness during the trial.
Mimi (Miriam) Haleyi
. A former production assistant who accuses Mr Weinstein of performing a forcible sex act on her in 2019. Ms Hast said Mr Weinstein had tempted Ms Haleyi with job opportunities and after having had her brought to his apartment, lunged at her, pushed her on to a bed and forced her into the sex act.
Jessica Mann. An actress named for the first time. Ms Hast said Ms Mann had had encounters with Mr Weinstein over a number of years, and would testify that Mr Weinstein had raped her multiple times.
Annabella Sciorra . Ms Hast said the actress would testify that she had been “violently raped” by the defendant in the winter of – . Ms Hast said the defendant Had kept his alleged victims close so they would not report his actions. What will the defense say ? The – year-old has admitted that he has “caused a lot of pain” , but maintains he is innocent of any crimes . “Mr Weinstein believes that all of these relationships were consensual,” his spokeswoman said soon after the first allegations emerged.
Before the opening of the trial, Weinstein lawyer Damon Cheronis said that his opening argument would tell jurors that the accusers had sent “loving emails” and “bragged” about their sexual relationships with him.
Lead lawyer Donna Rotunno said her client had a “slew of witnesses ready to go “.
She has said the evidence will exonerate the movie mogul of any criminal wrongdoing. “I’m not here to say he was not guilty of purchase sins,” she said. “But there’s a difference between sins and crimes, and I don’t think he’s a rapist.” The defense It is also expected to question the recollections of the accusers. It will also present its opening arguments on Wednesday.
Mr Weinstein himself is unlikely to testify.
How did the criminal charges come about?
They stem back to May 01575879, when Mr Weinstein turned himself in to New York police after some of the allegations received wide publicity. He was then charged with rape and several other counts of sexual abuse against two women.
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Mr Weinstein unsuccessfully tried to get the trial moved out of New York City, arguing that the intense media scrutiny would make it hard for him to get a fair hearing.
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