Harvey Weinstein was discovered responsible of rape by a Los Angeles jury on Monday, marking the second conviction in as many states for the disgraced Hollywood mogul.
Weinstein was additionally discovered responsible of two different sexual assault fees involving one of many 4 ladies whose accusations shaped the case for prosecutors. The jury couldn’t attain a unanimous verdict on the opposite fees.
The jury reached the decision on Monday afternoon after 9 days of deliberations that spanned greater than two weeks. The trial itself lasted for over 4 weeks and heard from dozens of witnesses, together with the 4 ladies who accused the previous movie producer of sexually assaulting them.
Weinstein, 70, nonetheless has roughly 21 years left on his sentence in New York after a rape and sexual assault conviction there that’s underneath enchantment.
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Jury for Harvey Weinstein trial in L.A. ends week of deliberations with out verdict
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The jury in Los Angeles discovered Weinstein responsible of rape, compelled oral copulation and one other sexual misconduct depend involving a lady often known as Jane Doe 1. The jury was unable to succeed in a choice on a number of counts, notably fees involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the spouse of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The jury reported it was unable to succeed in verdicts in her allegations and the allegations of one other girl. A mistrial was declared on these counts.
He was additionally acquitted of a sexual battery allegation made by one other girl.
He faces as much as 24 years in jail when he’s sentenced. Prosecutors and protection attorneys had no speedy touch upon the decision.
“It is time for the defendant’s reign of terror to end,” Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez mentioned within the prosecution’s closing argument. “It is time for the kingmaker to be brought to justice.”
Weinstein pleaded not responsible to all fees in opposition to him, and has continued to keep up any sexual exercise he took half in was consensual.
The case hinged closely on the tales and credibility of the 4 ladies on the heart of the fees, who mentioned their alleged encounters with Weinstein dated from 2005 to 2013. No forensic proof or eyewitness accounts of the alleged assaults have been offered.
Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker, testified in courtroom that she was raped by Weinstein in a lodge room in 2005.
An Italian mannequin and actor informed the courtroom Weinstein appeared uninvited at her lodge room door throughout a 2013 movie competition and raped her.
Lauren Young, the one accuser who testified at each Weinstein trials, mentioned she was a mannequin aspiring to be an actor and screenwriter who was assembly with Weinstein a few script in 2013 when he trapped her in a lodge lavatory, groped her and masturbated in entrance of her.
A therapeutic massage therapist testified that Weinstein did the identical to her after getting a therapeutic massage in 2010.
All 4 ladies have been recognized as Jane Doe in courtroom, however Newsom and Young have gone public with their accusations.
“Harvey Weinstein will never be able to rape another woman. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars where he belongs,” Siebel Newsom mentioned in an announcement. “Throughout the trial, Weinstein’s lawyers used sexism, misogyny, and bullying tactics to intimidate, demean, and ridicule us survivors. The trial was a stark reminder that we as a society have work to do.”
Weinstein’s New York conviction survived an preliminary enchantment, however the case is about to be heard by the state’s highest courtroom subsequent 12 months. The California conviction, additionally more likely to be appealed, means he won’t stroll free even when the East Coast conviction is thrown out.
—With information from the Associated Press
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