Harvey Weinstein was granted an enchantment Wednesday that units the stage for the doable overturn of his 2020 rape conviction in New York.
The order from Chief Choose Janet DiFiore of the New York State Courtroom of Appeals will permit oral arguments from Weinstein’s authorized staff and prosecutors a while subsequent yr, after which the total court docket will determine whether or not to vacate, modify or uphold the conviction.
If it decides to not uphold the responsible verdict, the state’s highest court docket might additionally order a brand new trial for the once-powerful film producer.
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Weinstein’s legal professional Arthur Aidela stated in an announcement to NBC Information, ABC Information and Fox Information that he and his consumer have been “grateful” DiFiore “acknowledged the distinctive authorized points on this case.”
Weinstein himself stated in an announcement supplied by a spokesperson that his authorized staff’s “arduous work will assist me show my innocence ultimately.”
Weinstein was convicted in February 2020 on two counts of committing a legal sexual act within the first diploma and third-degree rape. He was sentenced to 23 years in jail the next month.
This previous June, an intermediate-level appeals court docket in New York upheld the conviction, rejecting the Weinstein’s declare that the trial choose unfairly let in testimony about accusations outdoors of the case.
The fees in New York have been introduced because of allegations from two girls, aspiring actress Jessica Mann, and Mimi Haley, a former manufacturing assistant. They have been amongst greater than 80 girls who publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment.
Weinstein has denied the entire allegations which fuelled the #MeToo motion and ended his Oscar-winning profession in Hollywood.
Weinstein is at present being held in custody in Los Angeles as he awaits a brand new trial set for October, the place he’ll face 11 expenses of rape and sexual assault. He has pleaded not responsible to these crimes.
Extra to come back…
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