Harvey Weinstein Retrial: A Landmark Case for the #MeToo Movement
NEW YORK — Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was convicted Wednesday of one of the top charges in his sex crimes retrial but acquitted of another, and jurors were as yet unable to reach a verdict on a third charge.
The split verdict meted out a measure of vindication to his accusers and prosecutors — but also to Weinstein — in the landmark case.
The partial verdict came after an extraordinary day in which the jury foreperson indicated he felt bullied and Weinstein himself urged the judge to halt the trial, declaring: “It’s just not fair.”
“My life is on the line, and you know what? It’s not fair,” the former Hollywood heavy-hitter declared after making an unusual request to address the court. “It’s time, it’s time, it’s time, it’s time to say this trial is over.”
Breaking News
The Retrial and Verdict
Weinstein’s initial conviction five years ago seemed to cement the downfall of one of Hollywood’s most powerful men in a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement. But that conviction was overturned last year, and the case was sent back for retrial in the same Manhattan courthouse.
This time, a majority-female jury convicted the former studio boss of forcibly subjecting Miriam Haley, a producer and production assistant, to a criminal sex act in 2006.
Haley, who had qualms about testifying again, said outside court Wednesday that she hoped this time would be the last. She said it had been “exhausting and at times dehumanizing.”
“But today’s verdict gives me hope,” she added.
Jurors acquitted Weinstein of another criminal sex act charge. It related to Kaja Sokola, a former model whose allegations of forcible oral sex date to 2006 but were added to the case last year.
Sokola nevertheless called the partial verdict “a big win for everyone” and the “closing of a chapter that caused me a lot of pain throughout my life.”
Jurors were to continue deliberating Thursday on a rape charge involving hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann. Under New York law, the third-degree rape charge carries a lesser penalty than the first-degree criminal sex act offense.
Jury Deliberations and Tensions
Jury deliberations had teetered Wednesday. The foreperson — who complained Monday that other jurors were pushing people to change their minds and talking about information beyond the charges — signaled to Judge Curtis Farber that he wanted to talk.
In a closed-door discussion, the foreperson then told the judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers that another juror was yelling at him for sticking to his opinion, glaring and at one point vowed, “You going to see me outside.”
“I feel afraid inside there,” the foreperson told the judge and attorneys, according to a transcript.
The episode was the latest sign of jury-room strains. On Friday, a juror asked to be excused because he felt another was being treated unfairly. Weinstein’s lawyers asked unsuccessfully for a mistrial then, and again after the foreperson expressed his concerns Monday and Wednesday.
Weinstein and #MeToo
The trial once again turned a legal lens — and, to some extent the public eye — on the man whose reputed history of brutishness toward women propelled the #MeToo era that began in 2017.
Weinstein’s companies produced or distributed a string of Oscar winners for decades. He personally stood on the Oscars stage as a producer of 1999 best picture winner Shakespeare in Love. He also became a prominent Democratic donor.
When an Italian model told police in 2015 that Weinstein had abruptly groped her in his New York office, no charges resulted.
Then, two years later, The New York Times and The New Yorker detailed decades of sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations against Weinstein.
Those disclosures made #MeToo a global rallying cry for sexual misconduct awareness and accountability.
Weinstein ultimately was convicted of sex crimes and sentenced to prison in New York and California.
His California appeal is ongoing. But New York’s highest court awarded Weinstein a new trial, saying the former trial judge had allowed prejudicial testimony.
The Accusations and Weinstein’s Defense
Weinstein’s accusers said he exploited his Tinseltown influence to dangle career help, get them alone and then trap and force them into sexual encounters.
In a complexity they spent days explaining, the women stayed in contact with Weinstein, saw him again, and at times accepted or requested invitations or favors, according to testimony and documents. Mann said she had a consensual relationship with Weinstein that began before and continued after he allegedly raped her.
The accusers said they were trying to reckon with what had happened, attempting to suppress the assaults for their careers’ sake or trying to keep the peace with an influential, well-connected and irascible man.
Weinstein chose not to testify. His attorneys portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then recast the encounters as crimes years later to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation.
Conclusion
The Harvey Weinstein retrial has been a landmark case for the #MeToo movement, with a split verdict that has given a measure of vindication to both his accusers and prosecutors, as well as to Weinstein himself. The case has highlighted the complexities and challenges of prosecuting sex crimes, particularly those that involve powerful individuals and occur in the context of professional relationships.
As the jurors continue to deliberate on the third charge, the outcome of the trial remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the #MeToo movement has brought about a significant shift in the way society views and responds to sexual misconduct, and this case will be an important part of that conversation for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the charges against Harvey Weinstein?
A: Weinstein was charged with two counts of criminal sex act and one count of third-degree rape.
Q: What was the verdict in the retrial?
A: The jury convicted Weinstein of one count of criminal sex act, acquitted him of another, and was unable to reach a verdict on the third charge.
Q: Who were the accusers in the case?
A: The accusers were Miriam Haley, Kaja Sokola, and Jessica Mann, all of whom testified against Weinstein during the trial.
Q: What is the significance of the #MeToo movement in this case?
A: The #MeToo movement has brought attention to the widespread problem of sexual misconduct and has given a voice to survivors of sexual assault. The Weinstein case has been a landmark moment in the movement, highlighting the need for accountability and justice for those who have been affected by sexual violence.
