Why Harvey Weinstein's Rape Conviction Was Overturned

An appeals court in New York announced a decision on Thursday to overturn the 2020 rape conviction against former Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein.

On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that the appeals court found that the judge overseeing Weinstein's previous case made improper rulings, such as allowing a woman to testify against Weinstein about allegations not a part of his case.

Despite the ruling, Weinstein will remain in jail after he was convicted of another rape in Los Angeles and sentenced to 16 years.

Newsweek reached out to Weinstein's attorney, Arthur Aidala via email for comment.

The Context:

In February 2020, Weinstein was found guilty in New York of rape in the third degree and a criminal sexual act in the first degree and sentenced to 23 years in prison. In December 2022, he was also convicted of rape and other sexual assault charges in a separate Los Angeles case and sentenced to an additional 16 years of imprisonment.

Weinstein sought to appeal both verdicts.

Weinstein was accused of rape in the third degree against an actress in 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on a TV production assistant in 2006.

What We Know:

The accusations made against Weinstein in 2017 sparked a wave of similar incidents against other media moguls, in what was called the #MeToo movement.

Nearly 90 women have accused Weinstein, who produced films like Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love, of various forms of sexual misconduct. Many have said the Oscar winner offered career help in return for sexual favors. The allegations stretch back nearly three decades.

Views:

Conservative commentator Candace Owens responded to the ruling on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "You can say what you will about Harvey Weinstein, but the case against him in New York was one of the most absurd convictions I've ever seen. Read the case details. Full on witch hunt. Glad it was overturned. New York has a real problem."

Juda Engelmayer, a spokesperson for Weinstein, told NBC News that they are "thrilled with the court's decision."

"We obviously have a long road ahead of us in California," Engelmayer said in a statement.

According to the Associated Press, Weinstein's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said, "We all worked very hard and this is a tremendous victory for every criminal defendant in the state of New York."

In a statement to Newsweek on Thursday, Attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents eight Weinstein victims, said, "Today's decision is a major step back in holding those accountable for acts of sexual violence. Courts routinely admit evidence of other uncharged acts where they assist juries in understanding issues concerning the intent, modus operandi or scheme of the defendant."

"The jury was instructed on the relevance of this testimony and overturning the verdict is tragic in that it will require the victims to endure yet another trial," the statement added.

Similarly, in a statement provided to Newsweek, the Silence Breakers, on behalf of the survivors, said, "The news today is not only disheartening, but it's profoundly unjust. But this ruling does not diminish the validity of our experiences or our truth; it's merely a setback. The man found guilty continues to serve time in a California prison. When survivors everywhere broke their silence in 2017, the world changed. We continue to stand strong and advocate for that change. We will continue to fight for justice for survivors everywhere."

What's Next:

NBC News reported that the appeals court called for a new trial against Weinstein, meaning that some of his accusers may be asked to testify once again.

It is unclear when a new trial could take place.

Update 4/25/24, 9:59 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 4/25/24, 10:28 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 4/25/24, 11:48 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the Silence Breakers and attorney Douglas Wigdor.