Weinstein Denies Fresh Charges as He Prepares for New Trial

Gavel resting on stack of paperwork in courtroom.

Harvey Weinstein denies a new criminal sex act allegation in New York, stirring up significant legal and public attention as he awaits retrial.

At a Glance

Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to a new charge of criminal sexual act in the first degree.
Weinstein faces a retrial beginning on November 12 for a previous conviction that was overturned.
Prosecutors seek to consolidate the new charge with the ongoing case, facing opposition from Weinstein’s defense.
Weinstein’s health remains a concern as he recently underwent emergency heart surgery.
A decision on the motion to consolidate will be made on October 2.

Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty to New Charge

Former Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has entered a not-guilty plea to a new allegation of committing a criminal sex act in New York. The charge involves forcibly engaging in oral or anal sex, carrying a sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Weinstein, who is confined at Bellevue Hospital’s prison ward due to his medical condition, appeared in court in a wheelchair following recent emergency heart surgery.

The new charge stems from a Jane Doe accuser whose grand jury testimony led to the indictment. Prosecutors want to consolidate the new indictment with Weinstein’s original one related to his 2020 sex crimes conviction, which was overturned. Weinstein’s defense team, however, seeks separate trials. A judicial decision regarding the motion to consolidate is expected on October 2.

Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to new sex crime charge https://t.co/v2GXtAe1Ph

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 18, 2024

Medical and Legal Complications

Weinstein has undergone multiple health procedures, including recent emergency heart surgery, keeping him confined to Bellevue Hospital’s prison ward rather than Rikers Island. Additionally, delays in his court proceedings have occurred due to other medical issues, including COVID-19 and pneumonia.

“Thanks to this survivor who bravely came forward, Harvey Weinstein now stands indicted for an additional alleged violent sexual assault,” District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg commented in a statement.

The new allegation involves an incident at a Manhattan hotel between April 29, 2006, and May 6, 2006. Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, has questioned the timing of these charges, suggesting that the prosecution aims to damage Weinstein’s chances in his upcoming retrial.

Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to new sex crime charge in New Yorkhttps://t.co/JiQEtCS8Lq pic.twitter.com/WPyo6UD6Df

— NBC4 Columbus (@nbc4i) September 18, 2024

History and Implications

New York’s top appeals court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 sex crime conviction due to the inclusion of uncharged sex crime evidence, deemed an abuse of judicial discretion. His remaining convictions stem from accusations by Jane Doe No. 1, identified as former Russian model Evgeniya Chernyshova. Weinstein, now 72, continues to deny having non-consensual sexual encounters. In addition to his New York retrial, he is serving a 16-year sentence for the 2013 sexual assault of an actress in Los Angeles.

Weinstein’s retrial, initially scheduled for November, is now expected to commence in early 2025. As legal battles continue, women’s rights activists remain vocal, expressing outrage over Weinstein’s overturned conviction and the wider implications for justice in high-profile sexual violation cases.