Former Hollywood mogul faces further legal repercussions after being found guilty in California, following his 2020 conviction in New York.
Harvey Weinstein has been convicted of rape at his Los Angeles trial, marking another significant legal setback for the disgraced movie mogul. After nine days of deliberation, a jury found the 70-year-old guilty of multiple charges, including forcible rape, forced oral copulation, and sexual misconduct involving a woman known as Jane Doe 1. Weinstein had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case involved allegations from four women, spanning from 2005 to 2013. While Weinstein was acquitted of one sexual battery charge, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on several counts, including those related to Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, and another accuser. A mistrial was declared on those charges.
Ms. Newsom, who is a documentary filmmaker, spoke out after the trial, calling Weinstein a “serial predator” and declaring that he would never be able to harm another woman. “Weinstein will spend the rest of his life behind bars where he belongs,” she stated, praising the bravery of all survivors who testified.
Governor Newsom expressed immense pride in his wife and the women who came forward. He stressed the importance of supporting survivors and amplifying their voices. “Their strength and conviction are a powerful example to all of us,” he said.
This trial follows Weinstein’s 2020 conviction in New York, where he was sentenced to 23 years in prison for similar charges. The Los Angeles case continues the long legal battle for the former Hollywood mogul, who has faced accusations of sexual misconduct from more than 100 women since 2017. Weinstein is due to be sentenced in Los Angeles next year, but will first serve his New York sentence before being transferred back for his California conviction.
The Los Angeles trial, which began in October, saw multiple women testify about the abuse they suffered at the hands of the once-powerful producer. Prosecutors argued that Weinstein exploited his industry status to prey on vulnerable women, while the defence suggested his actions were part of a broader, transactional culture within Hollywood.
