The former movie producer and convicted intercourse offender is going through 11 costs from incidents that allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2013.
A jury has been chosen in Harvey Weinstein‘s rape trial following virtually two weeks of screening and juror questioning, Variety stories. The disgraced movie producer and convicted intercourse offender, 70, will stand trial in Los Angeles beginning Monday on 11 costs, all regarding incidents with 5 ladies that allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2013. The chosen jury consists of 9 males and three ladies, with many jurors admitting they have been ambivalent or had no opinion in regards to the #MeToo motion—which was largely sparked by 2017 allegations in opposition to Weinstein.
“I imagine most ladies,” one juror elaborated throughout questioning. “But not essentially all.”
Another juror, whose daughter is an legal professional, informed the protection that he has “quite a lot of respect for each side of the desk and our system of justice.”
According to Variety, 9 jurors have been excused from the courtroom—amongst these, a person who referred to the #MeToo motion as “pointless and fraudulent” and a lady who claimed she had a difficulty with individuals being prosecuted for crimes greater than eight years outdated. Eight alternate jurors have been chosen, 5 males and three ladies, although one of many jurors was later discovered to be unable to serve.
New Survey Shows 5 Years After #MeToo Began, Almost 70% Are Still Subjected to Harassment and Abuse
Defense Says Earthquake Drill During Proceedings is ‘Assault on the Dignity of the Court’
During the Thursday morning jury choice, the court docket was subjected to a one-minute earthquake drill. Though the proceedings have been solely briefly interrupted, Weinstein’s lawyer allegedly “strongly objected” to the choose’s course to decrease and canopy their heads throughout the drill.
“I’ll go to my grave remembering the day within the Harvey Weinstein trial after we needed to put our arms over our heads like monkeys,” he informed the choose, insisting that it could be “undignified” and “infantilizing” for the court docket and the defendant to “cower” earlier than the jury.
“Some pinhead within the workplace of emergency preparedness has provide you with a drill that is not sensible on this courtroom,” he added.
Judge Lisa B. Lench finally agreed that nobody within the courtroom would want to take cowl throughout the drill. Per Variety, 9 sexual assault accusers will testify in opposition to Weinstein throughout the trial; actor Mel Gibson can also be anticipated to testify.
Weinstein is at the moment serving a 23-year sentence for rape and is awaiting his upcoming trial in Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.