Harvey Weinstein’s New York Retrial Closes With Prosecutors Urging Jury to ‘Let Him Know the Rules Apply to Him’ Ahead of Deliberations

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On Wednesday afternoon in New York City, I wrapped up my closing statement for the prosecution during the sex crimes retrial of Harvey Weinstein – a pivotal moment in the case.

Nicole Blumberg, the district attorney, informed the jury that it’s important for the defendant to understand that the rules apply to him as well, because he seemed to think they didn’t.

Blumberg consolidated the accounts given by Miriam Haley, Kaja Sokola, and Jessica Mann during the lengthy trial, in which they detailed their purported instances of being sexually assaulted by Weinstein.

I realized they held more power and strength than I initially thought, as I speak about those who bravely stepped forward,” Blumberg expressed.

In his closing statement on Tuesday, attorney Arthur Aidala for Weinstein repeated the claim that the accusers were dishonest. He asserted that all the sexual interactions between Weinstein and the accusers were mutually agreed upon, labeling their relationships as “business-oriented” or “transactional.

Aidala portrayed the three accusers as women whose aspirations in the entertainment world had shattered, harboring resentment towards Weinstein due to their unfulfilled careers. Moreover, he suggested that their primary motivation for testifying was financial gain or seeking recognition.

“If this guy wasn’t Harvey Weinstein, would we even be here?” Aidala said.

Blumberg countered the defense’s argument, stating that the three women accusing Weinstein of sexual assault were not doing so for monetary gain or fame.

The defense attorney contended that it was Sokola who was approached by the prosecution rather than the other way around, to appear as a witness in Weinstein’s 2020 court case. Moreover, she emphasized two significant events following Haley and Mann’s testimonies during that trial: Haley altered the spelling of her last name post-trial, while Mann chose not to engage with the media for more than a year after the initial New York trial concluded.

“Only in a rape trial,” Blumberg said, “it actually feels like you’re the person on trial.”

Blumberg added, “Who puts themselves through that unless they’re telling the truth?”

Harvey Weinstein faces two charges for allegedly committing a “serious sexual crime” (first degree) and one charge for alleged third-degree rape, based on accusations by Haley, Sokola, and Mann. During his trial in 2020, the fallen film producer was found guilty of sexually assaulting former actress Mann and former TV production assistant Haley; however, these convictions were overturned in 2024. Weinstein maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to all charges during his recent trial.

The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, is set to begin deliberations on Thursday.

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2025-06-05 01:16