Harvey Weinstein was granted an enchantment Wednesday that units the stage for the potential overturn of his 2020 rape conviction in New York.
The order from Chief Choose Janet DiFiore of the New York State Courtroom of Appeals will enable oral arguments from Weinstein’s authorized staff and prosecutors a while subsequent yr, after which the total court docket will determine whether or not to vacate, modify or uphold the conviction.
If it decides to not uphold the responsible verdict, the state’s highest court docket might additionally order a brand new trial for the once-powerful film producer.
Weinstein’s lawyer Arthur Aidela mentioned in an announcement to NBC Information, ABC Information and Fox Information that he and his shopper had been “grateful” DiFiore “acknowledged the distinctive authorized points on this case.”
Weinstein himself mentioned in an announcement supplied by a spokesperson that his authorized staff’s “arduous work will assist me show my innocence in the long run.”
Weinstein was convicted in February 2020 on two counts of committing a prison sexual act within the first diploma and third-degree rape. He was sentenced to 23 years in jail the next month.
This previous June, an intermediate-level appeals court docket in New York upheld the conviction, rejecting the Weinstein’s declare that the trial decide unfairly let in testimony about accusations outdoors of the case.
The costs in New York had been introduced because of allegations from two ladies, aspiring actress Jessica Mann, and Mimi Haley, a former manufacturing assistant. They had been amongst greater than 80 ladies who publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment.
Weinstein has denied all the allegations which fuelled the #MeToo motion and ended his Oscar-winning profession in Hollywood.
Weinstein is at the moment being held in custody in Los Angeles as he awaits a brand new trial set for October, the place he’ll face 11 costs of rape and sexual assault. He has pleaded not responsible to these crimes.
Extra to come back…
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