Five years after the conviction that marked the beginning of his downfall, Harvey Weinstein is returning to the same courtroom to face a new trial on the same charges after his 2020 conviction was overturned. The proceedings, expected to last between four and six weeks, are shaping up to be both complex and pivotal for the legal future of the former Hollywood mogul, who is currently being held at the high-security Rikers Island jail.
Jury selection has begun for the trial set to begin by April 21, when he will face two counts of first-degree criminal sexual acts and one count of third-degree rape. The indictment involves two women who had already testified in the initial trial, as well as a third alleged victim whose identity remains unknown.
Speaking to Vulture, a spokesperson for Weinstein said the former producer is looking forward to a “swift and fair trial” and expressed confidence that “the evidence and testimony will clearly demonstrate his innocence, putting an end to this long cycle of accusations and media-driven narratives.”
Last December, Weinstein was hospitalized in an emergency, but the legal proceedings against him have continued to move forward, including another conviction in California for a separate rape case.
Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, old controversies have resurfaced. According to director Joe Russo, Weinstein intentionally harmed the superhero film genre due to his “mudslinging” campaigns against mainstream movies in the 90s to boost his arthouse flicks. Though minor compared to the serious criminal charges he faces, the claim adds to the increasingly complex portrait of a deeply controversial figure.
