Harvey Weinstein is a notable Hollywood producer. He produced some great films like ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and ‘Pulp Fiction’. He was sentenced to prison on allegations of sexual violation against many women. The New York Times and The New Yorker brought out the scandal accusing Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault. More than 80 women claimed that the producer sexually assaulted them. Nevertheless, attorneys of Weinstein still appeal that their client is innocent.
The accusations date back to 1987 and numerous actresses and models from wide parts of the world reported that the alleged offender forced himself onto them. On February 2020, the former co-owner of Miramax and the Weinstein Co. was found guilty of a criminal sex act in two incidents of rape. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison. His attorneys later appealed to the court on accounts of a fair trial. This case stands monumental because of the consequential #MeToo movement it started.
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Famous Actresses And Models Who Were Assaulted By Weinstein
85 victims who are well known in the industry took their plight to the public and shared their unfortunate encounters with Weinstein on Instagram through the hashtag #MeToo. The consequence of the sexual act opened up many silenced voices to share their plight and appeal for the victims to stand up. The victims accused him of several inappropriate touches, groping, forced massages, and rape. Many leading actresses like Cara Delevingne, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, and Gwyneth Paltrow stated similar versions of what Weinstein had done to each of them. He advanced on them and asked them to please him sexually or asked them to massage him while he took off his robes.
French actresses Emma de Caunes, and Florence Darel, Scottish writer and artist Lisa Campbell, New Zealand model Zoe Brock, Italian model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, and Italian actress Asia Argento, shared similar reports on how he forced himself onto them and groped their breasts forcefully and tried to kiss them. English model and actress Lysette Anthony shared that he raped her mercilessly when he called her to his room to speak about a role.
On one account, he even threatened to kill Salma Hayek. The then partner of Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt, had to warm him and threaten to kill him, for the sexual predator to not come near his girlfriend. On many unfortunate occurrences many models have been raped by him without having any reliable person for them to protect. The case filed four Jane Does, who were underaged when he raped them. There are still many unnamed women whose voices were heard through the spreading of #MeToo movement.
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Why Are The Attorneys Of Weinstein Appealing For A Fair Trial?
The age bar of most of the victims stands around 14 to 18 and 22 to 35. The convicted sex offender charged with first and third-degree sexual assault appealed against the conviction, requesting a new trial. In The Washington Post, Weinstein’s publicist Juda Engelmayer stated, “We are disappointed and sad for Mr. Weinstein. Obviously.” Attorneys of Weinstein also reject all the allegations against him.
Following the verdict of the court for 23 years in prison, Weinstein’s appeal was granted by New York State of Appeals Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. The ruling clears the way for the convict to present his appeal in front of the entire court, next year. The attorneys appealed because the Judge of the case should not have let in additional witnesses whose allegations were not part of the case, to testify in court. His attorneys also questioned one of the juror’s liability as he has written a novel involving predatory older men.
Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s attorney, told NBC that he will receive a fair trial to reverse his conviction. CNBC News stated that the full court could withhold the conviction of the lower court or the full court could reverse the conviction of the lower court and vacate the charges against Weinstein. The full court could also withhold some charges and vacate others. The court could also order a new trial.
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