Reactions To Harvey Weinstein’s NY Rape Case Being Overturned
Harvey Weinstein’s rape case from 2020 has been overturned by the New York State Court of Appeals, NBC News reported Thursday (April 25). In a 4-3 ruling, the court ruled that the judge in the 2020 NY County #MeToo trial “prejudiced Weinstein with improper rulings, including allowing women to testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.”
The court ruled Thursday that a new trial must take place because Weinstein had no criminal history. The previous ruling said the producer was cross-examined about the #MeToo allegations as well as numerous allegations of misconduct that portrayed him in a “highly prejudicial light.”
(Photo by Etienne Laurent-Pool/Getty Images)
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Judge Jenny Rivera wrote in her ruling that the “accused has a right to be held to account only for the crime charged and, thus, allegations of prior bad acts may not be admitted against them for the sole purpose of establishing their propensity for criminality.” She added that the prosecution won’t be able to use “prior convictions or proof of the prior commission of specific, criminal, vicious or immoral acts” other than to impeach Weinstein’s credibility. “It is our solemn duty to diligently guard these rights regardless of the crime charged, the reputation of the accused or the pressure to convict,” the ruling said.
In February 2020, Weinstein was found guilty of 1st-degree criminal sexual act and 3rd-degree rape. He was acquitted on three other charges of predatory sexual assault, which would have resulted in a life sentence. Instead, he was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Weinstein’s lawyer told The Associated Press of the overturned case, “We all worked very hard and this is a tremendous victory for every criminal defendant in the state of New York.”
Reactions To Harvey Weinstein’s Rape Case Overturned
Famous figures and Weinstein accusers took to social media to share their reactions to the case being overturned. Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay wrote on Instagram: “The reversal of Harvey Weinstein’s conviction comes as a painful and infuriating affront to survivors and advocates everywhere. To every survivor who has to bear witness to this incorrigible miscarriage of justice, my heart is with you today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Ashley Judd, the first actress to come forward with allegations against Weinstein, told the New York Times of the overturned case, “That is unfair to survivors.” Actress Amber Tamblyn also expressed her frustrations, calling the overturning “a loss to the entire community of women who put their lives and careers on the line to speak out. If there is any good that comes out of this news, I hope that it reignites people and their passion to not just say they want equality, not just say they want safety, but to really work towards it.”
Mira Sorvino wrote on X, “Horrified! Since when don’t courts allow evidence of pattern of prior bad acts to be admitted?He’s a prolific serial predator who raped/harmed 200+women!Disgusted w/justice system skew twds predators not victims.”
Horrified!Day after #DenimDay honoring sexual violence survivors,Harvey Weinstein’s conviction overturned,due partly to molyneux witnesses testifying to prior bad acts,like lioness Annabella Sciorra.Since when don’t courts allow evidence of pattern of prior bad acts to be… pic.twitter.com/yIoF6u76da
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) April 25, 2024
Actress Ellen Barkin added, “If you are a serial murderer, prior acts define your crime. If you are a serial rapist, prior acts define your crime. Harvey Weinstein is a serial rapist. He is currently rotting in an LA prison for the crime of rape. 16 years. PRIOR ACTS??? There are hundreds.”
If you are a serial murderer, prior acts define your crime.
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) April 25, 2024
If you are a serial rapist, prior acts define your crime.
Harvey Weinstein is a serial rapist. He is currently rotting in an LA prison for the crime of rape. 16 years.
PRIOR ACTS??? There are hundreds.
Rapper Plies wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Here Y’all Go: ONLY In Great America: They Done Overturned Y’all Boy Harvey Weinstein Case! Crime Is ONLY A Bad When A Certain Race Does It!!”
