Harvey Weinstein’s New York Retrial Begins With Opening Statements; New Accuser Identified

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A year following the annulment of Harvey Weinstein’s groundbreaking #MeToo verdict in New York, the ex-Hollywood producer found himself back before a jury, as his re-trial commenced on Wednesday in a Manhattan criminal court.

Harvey Weinstein faces two charges for alleged first-degree criminal sexual acts and one charge for third-degree rape, based on accusations from three different women. One of these accusers, Kaja Sokola (previously known as Witness No. 3), did not testify during his 2020 trial. Last September, an additional sex crimes charge was brought against Weinstein following the allegation by Sokola that he performed oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel sometime between April 29, 2006, and May 6, 2006.

The once-disgraced film producer was initially found responsible for sexually assaulting two other women, Jessica Mann and a former TV production assistant named Miriam Haley; however, those convictions were later vacated. Now, Weinstein denies all charges brought against him in his second trial.

In her opening statement for the prosecution, Assistant District Attorney Shannon Lucey shared statements attributed to Weinstein such as “I make, I break careers.” She further explained to the jury that Weinstein manipulated opportunities as tools to exploit these women.

The Assistant District Attorney subsequently disclosed the accounts of three women who accused Weinstein, starting with Haley’s narrative. He detailed what the jury might listen to during their testimonies. Lucey described two instances involving Sokola and Weinstein – one in 2002 when she was only 16 years old, and another in 2006, which is the case for which Weinstein is currently facing charges. In 2019, Sokola filed a civil lawsuit against Weinstein concerning the 2002 incident, alleging that the producer coerced her into letting him grope her and made her touch his genitals. This claim was initially made in 2018 when she was part of a class-action lawsuit under the pseudonym Jane Doe. Despite the class action plaintiffs reaching a settlement with Weinstein, Sokola stated previously that the terms were unfair.

Lucy shared her account of what happened after the 2002 incident at a Manhattan hotel. Following this, Sokola persistently contacted Weinstein for professional prospects. In 2006, he gave her a minor role in “The Nanny Diaries,” where she crossed paths with Scarlett Johansson and Alicia Keys. That same year, she encountered Weinstein once more at the same Manhattan hotel; this time, she was accompanied by her sister. Weinstein suggested he had scripts upstairs, and Sokola went up in the elevator with him alone. Once again, she found herself in a hotel room with him alone. As Lucey described it, Sokola questioned herself, “How did I end up here again?” due to feelings of self-doubt.

As a cinephile, I eagerly anticipate the verdict of this New York retrial. The jury, a mix of seven esteemed women and five knowledgeable men, will be the ones to call the shots. Judge Curtis J. Farber has set his sights on wrapping up this trial by the last days of May or the first week of June.

2020 saw Weinstein receive a 23-year prison term in New York, following his guilty verdict on charges related to sexual assault and rape.

In April 2024, the New York Court of Appeals reversed Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction, stating that his initial trial made an error by allowing testimonies from three extra accusers. These testimonies were deemed biased because they didn’t offer pertinent information regarding the charges against Weinstein. The court ended up voiding the verdict and mandated a new trial.

Back in 2022, I witnessed the conviction of Weinstein for rape in sunny Los Angeles. On top of his existing sentence, he was slapped with an additional 16-year stint behind bars. Quite a cinematic turn of events!

More to come…

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2025-04-23 19:49