Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction has been overturned by New York’s highest court—on the basis that he did not receive a fair trial.
In a 4-3 decision, it was ruled that “the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes.”
This, in other words, means that the New York Court of Appeals has ruled prosecutors were allowed to have women testify about allegations unrelated to the trial (rather than solely on the crimes he was being charged with), leading to Weinstein being judged ‘unfairly.’
Weinstein on his way into court in 2020, with his lawyer Donna Rotunno.
As a result, the court has ordered a new trial in the landmark #MeToo case.
In an official statement on the new ruling, Judge Jenny Rivera stated, “We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes because that testimony served no material non-propensity purpose.”
“The court compounded that error when it ruled that defendant, who had no criminal history, could be cross examined about those allegations as well as numerous allegations of misconduct that portrayed defendant in a highly prejudicial light. The synergistic effect of these errors was not harmless,” she added.
The Hollywood producer, 72, has been serving a 23-year sentence following his conviction on charges of criminal sex act and rape in the third degree.
Weinstein, who in 2022 was convicted of another rape and sentenced to 16 years in prison, will remain imprisoned.
Following the ruling by the Court of Appeals, Weinstein’s accusers could have to take the witness stand once more.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and wants support or information about how to find help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or visit Hotline.RAINN.org.
Amber O’Connor is Cosmopolitan UK’s junior features writer, who covers everything from breaking news, women’s safety and real life features to fitness, travel, and cultural trends. She works on first-person features, reports, and long reads, plus the hottest stories of the day (if you want to know about the latest wellness craze or TikTok trends, she’s your girl).
Amber has previously worked as a reporter and a lifestyle writer, with her work appearing in numerous publications, including The Mirror, Red Magazine, Evening Standard, Indy100, and Yahoo News. When she’s not working her way through her TBR list, Amber loves dancing, running, and going on adventures with her dog.
